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01-05-2018 | Original Article

Evaluation of a specialized oncology nursing supportive care intervention in newly diagnosed breast and colorectal cancer patients following surgery: a cluster randomized trial

Authors: Jonathan Sussman, Daryl Bainbridge, Timothy J. Whelan, Kevin Brazil, Sameer Parpia, Jennifer Wiernikowski, Susan Schiff, Gary Rodin, Myles Sergeant, Doris Howell

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 5/2018

Abstract

Background

Better coordination of supportive services during the early phases of cancer care has been proposed to improve the care experience of patients. We conducted a randomized trial to test a community-based nurse-led coordination of care intervention in cancer patients.

Methods

Surgical practices were cluster randomized to a control group involving usual care practices or a standardized nursing intervention consisting of an in-person supportive care assessment with ongoing support to meet identified needs, including linkage to community services. Newly diagnosed breast and colorectal cancer patients within 7 days of cancer surgery were eligible. The primary outcome was the patient-reported outcome (PRO) of continuity of care (CCCQ) measured at 3 weeks. Secondary outcomes included unmet supportive care needs (SCNS), quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30), health resource utilization, and level of uncertainty with care trajectory (MUIS) at 3 and/or 8 weeks.

Results

A total of 121 breast and 72 colorectal patients were randomized through 28 surgical practices. There was a small improvement in the informational domain of continuity of care (difference 0.29 p = 0.05) and a trend to less emergency room use (15.8 vs 7.1%) (p = 0.07). There were no significant differences between groups on unmet need, quality of life, or uncertainty.

Conclusion

We did not find substantial gaps in the PROs measured immediately following surgery for breast and colorectal cancer patients. The results of this study support a more targeted approach based on need and inform future research focused on improving navigation during the initial phases of cancer treatment.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00182234.

SONICS—Effectiveness of Specialist Oncology Nursing.

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Title: Evaluation of a specialized oncology nursing supportive care intervention in newly diagnosed breast and colorectal cancer patients following surgery: a cluster randomized trial
Authors: Jonathan Sussman
Daryl Bainbridge
Timothy J. Whelan
Kevin Brazil
Sameer Parpia
Jennifer Wiernikowski
Susan Schiff
Gary Rodin
Myles Sergeant
Doris Howell
Publication date: 01-05-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 5/2018
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3981-4

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