Leveraging Outcomes Research to Optimize Prostate Cancer Care

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Oncology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Localized prostate cancer treatment involves multiple options with varying side effects, making patient preference crucial.
• Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and decision aids can enhance shared decision-making and improve patient outcomes.
• Current clinical practice faces barriers to integrating these valuable patient-centered tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on PROMs and decision aids for localized prostate cancer management.
• To discuss the importance and implementation challenges of these tools in clinical practice.
• To recommend specific tools and strategies for successful integration.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies on PROMs and decision aids in localized prostate cancer.
• Synthesis of key findings regarding the impact and utility of these tools.
• Identification of barriers and facilitators for clinical implementation.

Main Results:

• High-quality PROMs, such as the Expanded Prostate Index Composite-Short Form (EPIC-SF), are increasingly adopted in clinical settings.
• Decision aids demonstrably improve patient knowledge, satisfaction, and reduce uncertainty.
• Provider engagement and established office protocols can overcome implementation barriers.

Conclusions:

• Incorporating PROMs and decision aids into clinical practice is essential for improving shared decision-making quality in prostate cancer care.
• Thoughtful implementation strategies are necessary for the successful integration of these patient-centered tools.
• The use of EPIC-SF is recommended for standardized outcome measurement in localized prostate cancer.