Feasibility of advanced practice nursing in lung cancer consultations during early treatment: A phase II study

There are limited data on the effectiveness of Advanced Practice Nurses in Lung Cancer (APNLC). Previous studies have demonstrated barriers to investigation including low recruitment and high attrition rates in lung cancer population. The primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of APNLC consultations and the ability to collect patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) during first-line treatment. The secondary aim was to describe changes in self-efficacy for managing lung cancer-related symptoms, symptom intensity/burden and unmet supportive care needs of APNLC patients during first-line treatment.

An exact single-stage phase II design was applied. We recruited a consecutive sample of newly diagnosed lung cancer patients receiving systemic treatment in a Swiss oncology outpatient center. The intervention consisted of four systematic, alternating face-to-face/telephone consultations during first line-treatment. Feasibility of the study was defined by at least 55% of patients receiving all scheduled APNLC-led consultations and completing PROMs assessments at the three timepoints.

In total, 35/46 (76%) (95% CI, 0.61 to 0.87) of patients met the feasibility criteria receiving all scheduled APNLC consultations. Fifty-six percent (26/46) (95% CI, 0.41 to 0.71) completed the PROMs at the three timepoints. Self-efficacy for managing symptoms remained stable, intensity of predominant symptoms increased. Unmet information needs decreased significantly while psychological and sexuality related needs increased over time.

Results were promising for the feasibility of the APNLC consultation and the ability to collect PROMs. Further investigations are needed to increase the impact of the APNLC consultations on symptom intensity and sexual and psychological needs.