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Patient‐reported experience and outcome measures during treatment for gastroesophageal cancer
Author(s) -
Sundbom Magnus,
Ekfjord Lena,
Willman Maria,
Hedberg Jakob,
Randeniye Stephan,
Christensen Marianne,
Kildal Morten
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ecc.13200
Subject(s) - medicine , dysphagia , weight loss , multidisciplinary approach , patient satisfaction , cancer , physical therapy , intensive care medicine , surgery , social science , sociology , obesity
Objective Gastroesophageal cancer has high mortality, and continuous assessment of patient‐reported data is salient for optimisation of supportive care. We aimed to evaluate our multidisciplinary concept with respect to patient‐reported variables. Methods At diagnosis and later during the treatment, three areas of patient‐reported measures were evaluated: the given information and care, fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory [MFI‐20]), dysphagia (Ogilvie dysphagia score) and weight loss. Results Of 130 outpatients, planned for a surgical procedure and given a contact nurse (CN), 106 responded. During treatment, 81% of the patients were satisfied with their CN. The given information was considered very good or good by >90% and easily understood. Half of the patients reported need for supportive care, which was rated good by 85%. All dimensions of the MFI‐20 test, except mental fatigue, worsened during the treatment period. At diagnosis, 61% of the patients experienced eating problems, leading to 7% weight loss. Although dysphagia improved, weight loss reached 13% at the end of treatment. Conclusion A multidisciplinary concept can be of value in giving appropriate and understandable information, leading to high satisfaction with the provided care. However, as fatigue and weight loss increased during the treatment period, patients need structured multidisciplinary support.