title: Feasibility of using the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Antiemesis Tool for assessment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) has been shown to adversely impact patient anxiety, quality of life, treatment adherence, and use of health care resources. CINV control still remains a challenge, and lack of effective communication between the patient and clinician has been highlighted in the literature as the main barrier to optimal control. The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) has developed a tool (MASCC Antiemesis Tool (MAT)) to improve assessment and subsequent management of CINV by enhancing communication between patients and their clinicians. This study assessed the feasibility of using the MAT in patients at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. The secondary objective was to describe the incidence of CINV as identified by the tool.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study involved a prospective survey using the MAT in patients receiving intravenous chemotherapy. Subjects completed the MAT twice post-chemotherapy regarding CINV symptoms and returned it at their next clinic appointment. Participants were also surveyed to evaluate feasibility with regard to using the MAT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 50 patients recruited, 56% returned surveys. The majority of patients reported that the MAT facilitated communication with their clinician, particularly those who had experienced CINV. Fifty-four percent of patients who returned the MAT reported CINV; however, less than half of them had received American Society of Clinical Oncology-recommended antiemetic regimens. Only four patients with CINV had antiemetic changes made for subsequent cycles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MAT is a feasible tool which can improve communication of CINV symptoms between patients and clinicians, a foundational step toward improving CINV management.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Canada julia.warr@albertahealthservices.ca.
authors.forename: Julia K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Warr
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Canada.
authors.forename: Carole R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Canada.
authors.forename: Frances L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Cusano
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Canada University of Calgary, Nursing department, Canada.
authors.forename: Colleen A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Cuthbert
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Canada.
authors.forename: Michelle S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mah
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D003142:Communication; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting; Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer