title: Effect of telephone follow-up on the physical well-being dimension of quality of life in patients with cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of telephone follow-up on the physical well-being dimension of health-related quality of life in patients with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Public teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty patients with cancer who were discharged to home from the hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients received a telephone follow-up call 48-72 hours after discharge. Information was solicited regarding drug-related (and other) problems. Problems were addressed, and advice and support were given.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of variance revealed no differences in the physical well-being dimension of health-related quality of life between patients who received telephone follow-up and a control group who did not. Sixty-eight percent of the follow-up group and 40% of the control group (p = 0.007) reported having had at least one contact with a health professional.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One possible explanation for the lack of effect of the intervention is that high-risk patients in the control group received a similar intervention from other health care professionals. We suggest that telephone follow-up be coordinated among health professionals.
authors.affiliation: Institut Central des Hŏpitaux Valaisans, Sion Switzerland. johnny.beney@ichv.ch
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beney
authors.forename: E Beth
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Devine
authors.forename: Valby
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Ignoffo
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mitsunaga
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shahkarami
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McMillan
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Bero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents