Psycho-Oncology & Palliative Care

Journal Article Annotations
2016, 1st Quarter

Psycho-Oncology & Palliative Care Psychiatry

Annotation by William Pirl, MD, FAPM
April 2016

  1. Symptom monitoring with patient-reported outcomes during routine cancer treatment: a randomized controlled trial

PUBLICATION #1 — Psycho-Oncology & Palliataive Care Psychiatry
Symptom monitoring with patient-reported outcomes during routine cancer treatment: a randomized controlled trial
Basch E, Deal AM, Kris MG, et al
J Clin Oncol 2016; 34(6):557-565
Annotation

The finding: Routinely screening for and monitoring physical symptoms may lead to improved quality of life, ER visits, and possibly survival in patients with advanced cancer.

Strength and weaknesses: The major strength of this study is that it is a randomized controlled trial conducted in a large sample of patients. However, it used a general measure of quality of life as its outcome, the EuroQol EQ-5D, rather than an instrument that includes relevant specific symptoms. The study did not collect data on changes in medical care as the result of symptom reports.

Relevance: Regular assessment and monitoring of symptoms can be considered a quality-of-life intervention.