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BOSTON – Integrating symptom monitoring into cancer care can substantially reduce hospitalizations, but only with consistent patient and provider engagement, according to research presented at a recent oncology conference. Several studies explored different approaches to monitoring patients for symptoms between treatments, aiming to decrease emergency department visits and inpatient stays.
The findings,presented by experts including Stephen M. Schleicher, MD, MBA, and Veena Shankaran, MD, MS, highlight that the success of these programs hinges on patient participation and prompt responses from oncology teams.
Lalan Wilfong, MD, senior vice president for value-based care at an oncology support organization, emphasized the critical role of timely intervention. He stated, “It’s not the ePRO that actually makes the speed to response. What we found is that the nurses need to respond to any concerning symptoms within 2 hours or less to change the trajectory of ED visits and utilization.”
Digital Tools and Caregiver Support
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──────────────── START ARTICLE ────────────────BOSTON – Integrating symptom monitoring into cancer care can substantially reduce hospitalizations, but only with consistent patient and provider engagement, according to research presented at a recent oncology conference. Several studies explored different approaches to monitoring patients for symptoms between treatments, aiming to decrease emergency department visits and inpatient stays.
The findings,presented by experts including Stephen M. Schleicher, MD, MBA, and Veena Shankaran, MD, MS, highlight that the success of these programs hinges on patient participation and prompt responses from oncology teams.
Lalan Wilfong, MD, senior vice president for value-based care at an oncology support organization, emphasized the critical role of timely intervention. He stated, “It’s not the ePRO that actually makes the speed to response. What we found is that the nurses need to respond to any concerning symptoms within 2 hours or less to change the trajectory of ED visits and utilization.”
Digital Tools and Caregiver Support
- The Challenge of Patient Engagement with ePROs
- The Role of Lay Health Workers
- Home Care Models: Mixed Outcomes
One study focused on the impact of a digital application, BMT-CARE, designed to support caregivers of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). jamie Jacobs, PhD, program director for the Center for Psychiatric Oncology & behavioral Sciences at a major medical center, noted that caregivers often experience significant stress, with up to 40% suffering from anxiety or depression.
However, not all digital interventions proved successful. Michael Hassett, MD, MPH, a breast cancer specialist, reported on an electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) system implemented across six health systems. Despite the effort,there were no significant reductions in ED visits or inpatient stays at 30 or 90 days post-treatment.
In contrast,a program utilizing lay health workers to conduct telephone check-ins with older cancer patients (75+) demonstrated significant benefits. Manali Patel, MD, of the Division of Oncology, Veterans Affairs Palo alto Health care System, found that this approach led to a 53% reduction in ED visits (OR, 0.47; 95% CI,0.37-0.62) and a 68% reduction in hospital use (OR,0.32; 95% CI,0.20-0.51) over a 12-month period.
EXPLAINER: Telehealth and Remote patient Monitoring
Telehealth encompasses the use of digital details and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access health care services remotely. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a subset of telehealth that uses technology to track a patient’s health data from a distance. These tools can include wearable sensors, smartphone apps, and other devices that collect data on vital signs, symptoms, and activity levels.
RPM allows healthcare providers to monitor patients’ conditions in real-time, identify potential problems early, and intervene before they escalate into more serious issues. This approach is particularly valuable for managing chronic conditions, providing post-operative care, and supporting patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Patel emphasized that the success of the program was partly due to patient involvement in the design and the “warm touch” of phone calls, which also helped to alleviate loneliness.
Home Care Models: Mixed Outcomes
A Supportive Oncology Care at home intervention, presented by Ryan Nipp, MD, MPH, a GI oncologist, showed mixed results. While the program did not significantly reduce hospital admissions or ED visits, it did decrease urgent clinic visits and improve patients’ ability to perform daily activities.
