Dataset Information
Quality improvement of neuro-oncology services: integrating the routine collection of patient-reported, health-related quality-of-life measures.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Brain cancer has a strong impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and its evaluation in clinical practice can improve the quality of care provided. The aim of this project was to integrate routine collection of HRQoL information from patients with brain tumor or metastasis in 2 specialized United Kingdom tertiary centers, and to evaluate the implementation process.Methods
Since October 2016, routine collection of electronic self-reported HRQoL information has been progressively embedded in the participating centers using standard questionnaires. During the first year, the project was implemented, and the process evaluated, through regular cycles of process evaluation followed by an action plan, monitoring of questionnaire completion rates, and assessment of patient views.Results
Main challenges encountered included reluctance to change usual practice and limited resources. Key measures for success included strong leadership of senior staff, involvement of stakeholders in project design and evaluation, and continuous strategic support to professionals. Final project workflow included 6 process steps, 1 decision step, and 4 outputs. Questionnaires were mostly self-completed (75.1%), and completion took 6-9 minutes. Most patients agreed that the questionnaire items were easy to understand (97.0%), important for them (93.0%), and helped them think what they wanted to discuss in their clinical consultation (75.4%).Conclusions
Integrating HRQoL information as a routine part of clinical assessments has the potential to enhance individually tailored patient care in our institutions. Challenges involved in innovations of this nature can be overcome through a systematic approach involving strong leadership, wide stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning.
SUBMITTER: Fernandez-Mendez R
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6656295 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Quality improvement of neuro-oncology services: integrating the routine collection of patient-reported, health-related quality-of-life measures.
Neuro-oncology practice 20181017 3
<h4>Background</h4>Brain cancer has a strong impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and its evaluation in clinical practice can improve the quality of care provided. The aim of this project was to integrate routine collection of HRQoL information from patients with brain tumor or metastasis in 2 specialized United Kingdom tertiary centers, and to evaluate the implementation process.<h4>Methods</h4>Since October 2016, routine collection of electronic self-reported HRQoL information has ...[more]