Leads: Leah Lambert     Research Assistant: Lilia Laihem

The use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in cancer care have shown to improve symptoms detection, patient satisfaction, and quality of life. To enhance care for hormone-receptor positive HR+ breast cancer patients, we partnered with a nurse practitioner (NP)-led breast cancer survivorship clinic to integrate electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) through a patient portal. This study explores the patient and clinician views on the use of ePROs in breast cancer follow-up care. 

Study Background & Rationale:

Breast cancer accounts for 25% of new cancers in Canadian women, with 70-75% being hormone-receptor positive (HR+). Standard treatment for HR+ breast cancer involves 5-10 years of anti-hormonal therapy. However, many breast cancer patients (40-50%) do not take their recommended daily anti-hormonal therapy due to unpleasant side effects and lack of access to effective follow-up care, potentially increasing their risk of dying by 49%. To better support women, a nurse practitioner (NP)-led clinic was created by BC Cancer and BC Women’s Hospital.

Implementing electronic patient reported outcomes have the potential to better support patients and nurses to work together to establish person-centred care plans based on the priority concerns of each patient, support patients to follow recommended daily treatments, and improve their cancer outcomes. 

 

Aims:

 

1

Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the online portal from the perspective of patients and nurses. 

 

2

Assess patients’ and nurses’ experiences and perceptions of integrating ePROs in routine follow-up care. 

 
By gaining the perspectives of both patients and nurses, we explore the key considerations for implementing a patient portal and the potential value on electronic patient reported outcomes (ePROs) on patient-centered care. 

Learn More

For more information on the study, please contact research assistant, Lilia Laihem (lilia.laihem@bccancer.bc.ca) 

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