Patient-reported symptoms and quality of life integrated into clinical cancer care
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1Harvard Medical School, Boston,MA 02215, USA. donna_berry@dfci.harvard.edu
Objectives:
To provide an overview of research and practice related to patient-reported symptom and quality-of-life assessment integrated into clinical care.
Data Sources:
Literature retrieved through the PUBMED and CINAHL databases.
Conclusion:
Assessing and incorporating patient preferences, engaging the patient in self-report, and extending the interaction to the place and time favored by the patient are necessary to bring meaning to the term "patient-centered." There is beginning evidence that these approaches can make a difference, improving care quality.
Implications For Nursing Practice:
Oncology nurses no longer need to be constrained by paper symptom checklists. Patient-reported symptom and quality-of-life information can be electronically collected and simultaneously made available for home and clinical use through the utilization of Web-based programs.
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