(Ivanhoe Newswire) – Instead of waiting until their appointments to tell their doctor about their symptoms and side effects, cancer patients could avoid potentially serious health problems if they report that information in between exams.

A new report from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) finds even the sickest cancer patients are willing and able to report their symptoms online. This would get critical information to healthcare providers in real time and fill gaps that could greatly improve patient safety and quality of care.

“Because cancer therapies can be highly toxic, early detection of symptoms and timely treatment is vital,” lead author, Ethan Basch, M.D., Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, was quoted as saying. “What is exciting to us about online self-reporting is that patients can alert clinicians to crucial symptoms in real time.”

Researchers developed a Web-based system for study participants to access using computers in waiting room kiosks and at home to report their symptoms directly to clinicians. Patients entered their cancer- and chemotherapy-related side effects, including pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and their overall quality of life.
 

The study found patients were more likely to use the system if they had used computers before. Age, gender, and the stage of cancer did not affect log-in rates.

Results show patients were satisfied with the system – 98 percent said it was easy to use, 90 percent said it was useful, and 77 percent said it improved the quality of their discussions with clinicians.

Another study is now underway to further determine the benefits of patient self-reporting, such as whether it can improve the quality of routine cancer care by speeding up the detection of severe or disabling toxicities. Results are expected in 2009.

SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2007