Striving to Fill in Gaps between Clinical Practice and Standards: The Evolution of a Pan-Canadian Approach to...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Services Research
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Standardized collection and use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are essential in healthcare.
• Clinical implementation of PROs faces significant challenges.
• Patient-reported outcomes initiatives are gaining momentum in radiation oncology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of a national strategy for PROs collection and utilization in Canada.
• To identify facilitators and barriers in the implementation of PROs in radiation oncology.
• To explore a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to integrating PROs into clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Review of a quality improvement initiative led by the Canadian Partnership for Quality Radiotherapy (CPQR).
• Analysis of the role of the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (CARO)'s Quality and Standards Committee.
• Examination of multi-centre and multidisciplinary collaboration efforts.

Main Results:

• A pan-Canadian approach to PROs has evolved through collaborative efforts.
• Patient representatives and early-adopter programs are key drivers of PROs expansion.
• Initiatives aim to align clinical practice with guideline recommendations.

Conclusions:

• Continued multi-centre and multidisciplinary collaboration is vital for successful PROs implementation.
• Addressing implementation challenges is key to realizing the full potential of PROs.
• The Canadian experience offers a model for national PROs expansion in radiation oncology.