ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
The Use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Oncology: Perspectives of Oncologists
Received Date : 14 Feb 2024
Accepted Date : 18 Sep 2024
Available Online : 22 Oct 2024
Eda ÇALIŞKAN YILDIRIMa, Mehmet UZUNa, İlhan ÖZTOPa, Tuğba YAVUZŞENa
aDokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, İzmir, Türkiye
Doi: 10.37047/jos.2024-102193 - Article's Language: EN
Journal of Oncological Sciences. 2024;10(3):125-31
ABSTRACT
Objective: This survey study was designed with the aim of assessing the use and opinions about patient-reported outcome measures
(PROM) by healthcare workers in oncology clinics in Türkiye. Material and Methods: A 10-question survey was distributed to medical and radiation
oncologists through digital platforms, receiving 334 complete responses. Results: Of the participants, 87.4% worked in medical oncology
and 12.6% in radiation oncology clinics, respectively. 56% of participants reported less than 5 years of experience. Among participants,
11.7% of medical oncologists and 25% of radiation oncologists reported using PROMs in daily practice (p<0.05). In oncology clinics, it was revealed
that PROMs were mainly used in international clinical studies (27.8%), while it was used in national academic studies with less frequency
(21.8%). The use of PROMs appeared to increase with professional experience (p<0.05). Among participants, 53.5% stated they had not used
PROMs for any purpose. The two most important obstacles to the use of PROMs were lack of time (62.5%) and lack of assisting personnel
(35.2%). 25% of participants stated they did not know anything about PROMs. Conclusion: The rate of PROMs use in oncology clinics in Türkiye
is 13%, which is much behind the rest of the world, reflecting possible similar patterns in other low- and middle-income regions. This pioneering
study underscores the need for strategic initiatives to embed PROs in cancer care, advocating for reforms in health systems.
Keywords: Patient-reported outcomes; patients reported outcome measures; oncology; survey
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