Evaluation of an online platform for cancer patient self-reporting of chemotherapy toxicities

J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2007 May-Jun;14(3):264-8. doi: 10.1197/jamia.M2177. Epub 2007 Feb 28.

Abstract

The current mechanism for monitoring toxicity symptoms in cancer trials depends on a complex paper-based process. Electronic collection of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) may be more efficient and accurate. An online PRO platform was created including a simple data entry interface, real-time report generation, and an alert system to e-mail clinicians when patients self-report serious toxicities. Feasibility assessment involving 180 chemotherapy patients demonstrated high levels of use at up to 40 follow-up clinic visits per patient over 16 months (85% of patients at any given visit), with high levels of patient and clinician acceptance and satisfaction (>95%). Alerts were used as the basis for delayed chemotherapy treatments, dose modifications, and scheduling changes. These results demonstrate that online patient-reporting is a feasible strategy for chemotherapy toxicity symptom monitoring, and may improve safety and satisfaction with care. Ongoing multi-center research will evaluate the impact of this approach on clinical and administrative outcomes.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Electronic Mail
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Online Systems*
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Self Care*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • User-Computer Interface

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents