Developing & integrating a mobile application tool into a survivorship clinic for esophageal cancer patients.

Esophageal cancer (EC) patients are living longer due to enhanced screening and novel therapeutics, however, the post-esophagectomy long-term management remains challenging for patients, caregivers, and providers. Patients experience significant morbidity and have difficulty managing symptoms. Providers struggle to manage symptoms, affecting patients' quality of life and complicating care coordination between surgical teams and primary care providers. To address these patient unique needs and create a standardized method for evaluating patient reported long-term outcomes after esophagectomy for EC, our team developed the Upper Digestive Disease Assessment tool, which evolved to become a mobile application. This mobile application is designed to monitor symptom burden, direct assessment, and quantify data for patient outcome analysis after foregut (upper digestive) surgery, including esophagectomy. It is available to the public and enables virtual and remote access to survivorship care. Patients using the Upper Digestive Disease Application (UDD App) must consent to enroll, agree to terms of use, and acknowledge use of health-related information prior to gaining access to the UDD App. The results of patients scores can be utilized for triage and assessment. Care pathways can guide management of severe symptoms in a scalable and standardized method. Here we describe the history, process, and methodology for developing a patient-centric remote monitoring program to improve survivorship after EC. Programs like this that facilitate patient-centered survivorship should be an integral part of comprehensive cancer patient care.

A Multicenter Comparison of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Discussions in Oncology Care: The Role of Time, Patient-Centeredness, and Practice Context.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about how complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is discussed in cancer care across varied settings in the U.S. METHODS: In two practices affiliated with one academic medical center in southern California (SoCal), and one in the upper Midwest (UM), we audio-recorded patient-clinician interactions in medical oncology outpatient practices. We counted the frequency and duration of CAM-related conversations. We coded recordings using the Roter Interaction Analysis System. We used chi-square tests for bivariate analysis of categorical variables and generalized linear models for continuous variables to examine associations between dialogue characteristics, practice setting, and population characteristics with the occurrence of CAM discussion in each setting followed by multivariate models adjusting for clinician clustering. RESULTS: Sixty-one clinicians and 529 patients participated. Sixty-two of 529 (12%) interactions included CAM discussions, with significantly more observed in the SoCal university practice than in the other settings. Visits that included CAM were on average 6 minutes longer, with CAM content lasting an average of 78 seconds. In bivariate tests of association, conversations containing CAM included more psychosocial statements from both clinicians and patients, higher patient-centeredness, more positive patient and clinician affect, and greater patient engagement. In a multivariable model including significant bivariate terms, conversations containing CAM were independently associated with higher patient-centeredness, slightly longer visits, and being at the SoCal university site. CONCLUSION: The frequency of CAM-related discussion in oncology varied substantially across sites. Visits that included CAM discussion were longer and more patient centered. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The Institute of Medicine and the American Society of Clinical Oncology have called for more open discussions of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). But little is known about the role population characteristics and care contexts may play in the frequency and nature of those discussions. The present data characterizing actual conversations in practice complements a much larger literature based on patient and clinician self-report about CAM disclosure and use. It was found that CAM discussions in academic oncology visits varied significantly by practice context, that the majority were initiated by the patient, and that they may occur more when visit time exists for lifestyle, self-care, and psychosocial concerns.

Impact of lymphoma survivorship clinic visit on patient-centered outcomes.

PURPOSE: Cancer survivors may experience physical, social, and emotional effects of cancer and its treatments. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend the development of a survivorship care plan (SCP) for cancer patients following completion of treatment with curative intent. Our institution developed a lymphoma survivorship clinic (SC) to assess patient needs, provide education, and create and deliver SCPs. This study analyzed the impact of a SC visit on patient-centered outcomes. METHODS: Surveys were sent to lymphoma patients at Mayo Clinic Rochester within 4 weeks of their post-treatment visit to the SC that queried patient-reported outcomes, including experience of care, quality of life (QOL), and distress. We compared survey responses between those who attended the SC and those who were eligible but did not attend. RESULTS: From November 2013 to May 2015, 236 lymphoma patients were surveyed, 96 of whom had a SC visit and 140 of who were eligible but did not attend. Those who attended the SC were more likely to "definitely" recall discussion on improving health, preventing illness, and making changes in habits/lifestyle, diet, and exercise. There were no differences in QOL or distress. Adjusted analyses revealed that SC attendance was associated with better self-reported overall health among younger patients and better physical well-being in Hodgkin lymphoma patients compared to those with other subtypes of lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in the lymphoma SC improved patient education on survivorship issues, particularly health behaviors. There may be a particular benefit in younger patients. However, there were no differences in QOL or distress. Further study is needed to determine if improved survivorship education and SCP delivery leads to long-term health benefits in cancer survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Our study evaluates the clinical impact of a SC in patients treated for lymphoma. We demonstrate that a SC visit improves patient education regarding health behaviors.

Factors influencing the adoption of the sentinel lymph node technique for endometrial cancer staging: an international survey of gynecologic oncologists.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors influencing adoption of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) technique for endometrial cancer staging among gynecologic oncologists. METHODS: A self-administered, web-based survey was sent via email (April 20 through May 21, 2017) to all members of European Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, International Gynecologic Cancer Society, and Society of Gynecologic Oncologists. Surgical and pathologic practices related to SLN and reasons for not adopting this technique were investigated. RESULTS: Overall, 489 attending physicians or consultants in gynecologic oncology from 69 countries responded: 201 (41.1%), 118 (24.1%), and 117 (23.9%) from Europe, the USA, and other countries, respectively (10.8% did not report a country). SLN was adopted by 246 (50.3%) respondents, with 93.1% injecting the cervix and 62.6 % using indocyanine green dye. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network SLN algorithm was followed by 160 (65.0%) respondents (USA 74.4%, Europe 55.4%, other countries 71.4%). However, 66.7% completed a backup lymphadenectomy in high-risk patients. When SLN biopsy revealed isolated tumor cells, 13.8% of respondents recommended adjuvant therapy. This percentage increased to 52% if micrometastases were detected. Among the 243 not adopting SLN, 50.2% cited lack of evidence and 45.3% stated that inadequate instrumentation fueled their decisions. CONCLUSIONS: SLN with a cervical injection is gaining widespread acceptance for staging of endometrial cancer among gynecologic oncologists worldwide. Standardization of the surgical approach with the National Comprehensive Care Network algorithm is applied by most users. Management of isolated tumor cells and the role of backup lymphadenectomy for 'high-risk' cases remain areas of investigation.

Absent and Discordant Electronic Health Record Documentation of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cancer Care.

OBJECTIVES: Many patients with cancer use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), but the quality of CAM documentation in their electronic health records (EHRs) is unknown. The authors aimed to describe (i) the prevalence and types of CAM used after cancer diagnosis and the influence of oncologists on CAM use, as per patients' self-report, and (ii) the prevalence of CAM documentation in the EHR and its consistency with self-reported usage. DESIGN: Patient and provider surveys and chart review. SETTINGS/LOCATION: Medical oncology practices at one institution. SUBJECTS: Patients with cancer at oncologist visits. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient self-reported rate of 3-month postvisit CAM use; provider EHR documentation of CAM use or discussion and its concordance with patient self-report. RESULTS: Among 327 patients enrolled, 248 responded to the 3-month postvisit survey. Of these, 158 reported CAM use after diagnosis (63.7%). CAM users were younger (p < 0.001) and had a higher percentage of women (p = 0.03) than nonusers. Modalities most commonly used were supplements (62.6%), special diets (38.6%), chiropractor (28.4%), and massage (28.4%). CAM was used to improve well-being (68.7%), manage adverse effects (35.5%), and fight cancer (22.9%). Oncologists suggested CAM in 22.5% of instances of use. CAM use/discussion was documented for 58.2% of self-reported CAM users. Of the documented modalities, EHR and self-report were concordant for only 8.2%. CAM documentation was associated with physician provider (p = 0.03), older patients (p = 0.01), and treatment with radiation (p = 0.03) or surgery (p = 0.001). After adjusting for other factors, patients with breast cancer or "other" tumor category were four times more likely than patients with gastrointestinal cancer to have CAM use documentation (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 4.41 [1.48-13.10]; 3.76 [1.42-9.99], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with cancer use CAM after diagnosis, yet EHR documentation is complete for very few. Oncologists should inquire about, document, and discuss CAM benefits and harm or refer patients to CAM specialists.

Communication predictors and consequences of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) discussions in oncology visits.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), but do not routinely talk about it with their clinicians. This study describes CAM discussions in oncology visits, the communication patterns that facilitate these discussions and their association with visit satisfaction. METHODS: 327 patients (58% female; average age 61) and 37 clinicians were recorded during an oncology visit and completed post-visit questionnaires. All CAM discussions were tagged and the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) was used to code visit dialogue. RESULTS: CAM was discussed in 36 of 327 visits; discussions were brief (

Patient-reported outcomes in studies of complementary and alternative medicine: problems, solutions, and future directions.

Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures are frequently used to assess therapeutic efficacy and effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Although CAM investigators are increasingly making use of valid, self-report instruments to assess patient-relevant outcomes, the sheer number of available instruments poses challenges. Two of the more pressing issues are discussed: the lack of guidance for selecting measures and the limited attention paid to the clinical meaningfulness of PRO results. Solutions are offered that may support selection and standardization of outcome measures for future CAM studies. This includes testing of tools from the National Institutes of Health's Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Increased standardization of outcome measurement in CAM studies will allow for more cross-study comparisons and facilitate the statistical pooling of results, ultimately leading to a more informative evidence base.

Spiritual well-being and health-related quality of life in colorectal cancer: a multi-site examination of the role of personal meaning.

PURPOSE: Individuals diagnosed and treated for cancer often report high levels of distress, continuing even after successful treatment. Spiritual well-being (SpWB) has been identified as an important factor associated with positive health outcomes. This study had two aims: (1) examine the associations between SpWB (faith and meaning/peace) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes and (2) examine competing hypotheses of whether the relationship among distress, SpWB, and HRQL is better explained by a stress-buffering (i.e., interaction) or a direct (main effects) model. METHODS: Study 1 consisted of 258 colorectal cancer survivors (57% men) recruited from comprehensive cancer centers in metropolitan areas (age, M=61; months post-diagnosis, M=17). Study 2 consisted of 568 colorectal cancer survivors (49% men) recruited from a regional cancer registry (age, M=67; months post-diagnosis, M=19). Participants completed measures of SpWB (functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-spiritual well-being (FACIT-Sp)) and HRQL (functional assessment of cancer therapy-colorectal) in both studies. Measures of general distress (profile of mood states-short form) and cancer-specific distress were also completed in study 1 and study 2, respectively. RESULTS: After controlling for demographic and clinical variables, faith and meaning/peace were positively associated with HRQL. However, meaning/peace emerged as a more robust predictor of HRQL outcomes than faith. Planned analyses supported a direct rather than stress-buffering effect of meaning/peace. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further evidence of the importance of SpWB, particularly meaning/peace, to HRQL for people with colorectal cancer. Future studies of SpWB and cancer should examine domains of the FACIT-Sp separately and explore the viability of meaning-based interventions for cancer survivors.

Phase II trial of PN401, 5-FU, and leucovorin in unresectable or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach: a Southwest Oncology Group study.

From February, 2001 to September, 2002, the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) accrued 65 patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma to a phase II trial of weekly 5-FU, leucovorin, and the orally-administered uridine analog PN401. Of these 65 patients, 57 were assessable for survival and toxicity, which were the endpoints for the study. Treatment consisted of the administration of 1200 mg/m(2) of 5-FU, 500 mg/m(2) of leucovorin, and 6 grams of PN401 every 8 h, beginning 8 h after the completion of the 5-FU infusion, and continuing for a total of 8 doses (48 grams) during each weekly chemotherapy session. Therapy was delivered for six weeks out of every 8-week treatment cycle. The gastrointestinal toxicity of this regimen was mild with 2 patients experiencing grade 3 stomatitis, and 6 patients having grade 3 diarrhea; and the hematologic toxicity was acceptable with 6 of 57 patients found to have had grade 3 or 4 leukopenia, and 14 of 57 patients experiencing grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. There were two deaths judged possibly related to treatment; one in a patient who experienced a variety of Grade 2 gastrointestinal toxicities and died at home with an unknown cause of death; and a second patient who also died at home, and for whom treatment-related sepsis could not be ruled out. The overall median survival was 7.2 months. The ability to safely deliver twice the usual dose of 5-FU with leucovorin on a weekly schedule suggests that oral uridine analog supplementation with PN401 may enhance the therapeutic index of the fluoropyrimidines.