title: A randomized study of telephone contact following completion of radiotherapy.
abstract: The hypothesis tested was that routine contact by telephone might significantly improve the adequacy of support for patients during the potentially stressful period between completing radiotherapy and the first follow-up visit. The study was a randomized controlled trial in which 100 patients were allocated either to telephone contact (intervention arm) or usual care (control arm). Adequacy of support was assessed by a questionnaire administered at the first follow-up visit. There were no significant differences in the perceived adequacy of support between the two arms. Of the 72 patients who completed questionnaires, 76% of those in the intervention arm versus 61% in the control arm rated their support after radiotherapy as 'extremely adequate'. The 95% confidence interval (CI) for this 15% rate difference was -6- +36. Analysis by intention to treat showed a rate difference of only 4% (95% CI -17-(+)25) in favour of intervention. We conclude that, given the limited resources currently available, it is not possible to justify a policy of routine contact by telephone for all patients completing radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Munro
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Greenwood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000191:economics; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011878:Radiotherapy; D012944:Social Support; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000517:prevention & control; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D013689:Telephone / Q000191:economics