title: Evaluation of the chemotherapy patient monitor: an interactive tool for facilitating communication between patients and oncologists during the cancer consultation.
abstract: Effective communication between oncologists and patients with cancer is of paramount importance. The Chemotherapy Patient Monitor (CPM) is a novel tool designed to assist doctor-patient communication regarding patient concerns and side-effects. Initially, the CPM was assessed in a primary evaluation study of its use during consultations with 26 patients with advanced colorectal cancer (one consultation without, followed by two with, the CPM per patient). This led to a further dissemination/audit of 34 patients attending oncology centres in the UK, who had completed the survey prior to three consultations. The CPM contains a checklist of common side-effects of chemotherapy regimens used in advanced colorectal cancer, and other common concerns of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The CPM records the presence of side-effects/concerns, the distress caused, whether patients wish to discuss them further, and actions taken as a result. Questionnaires explored the views of patients and oncologists in the UK and Spain regarding the effectiveness of consultations during a baseline visit conducted without the CPM, and then with the CPM in subsequent visits. These data were then complemented by the dissemination/audit study of the CPM across nine centres in the UK. All patients understood the CPM. The CPM was rated as useful by oncologists in 83% of consultations, and did not lengthen 82% of visits. Patients felt it had improved the visit in 95% of cases. Responses from patients (100%) and oncologists (84%) indicated willingness to use the CPM for at least some consultations in the future. The results of the dissemination/audit study supported these conclusions. We conclude that the CPM appears to be a useful new tool for improving patient-doctor communication during cancer consultations.
authors.affiliation: Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Espinosa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lofts
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meehan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heyes
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents