Systematic symptom management in the IMPACT Consortium: rationale and design for 3 effectiveness-implementation...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Services Research
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Cancer and its treatments cause significant symptoms impacting patient quality of life.
• Poorly managed symptoms increase healthcare utilization and hospitalizations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the conceptual framework, organization, and evaluation plans of the IMPACT Consortium.
• To detail the development of 3 large-scale, systematic symptom management systems.
• To outline plans for testing these systems via pragmatic, randomized, hybrid effectiveness and implementation trials.

Main Methods:

• Development of 3 systematic symptom management systems.
• Deployment of systems through electronic health record platforms.
• Testing through pragmatic, randomized, hybrid effectiveness and implementation trials.

Main Results:

• The IMPACT Consortium's framework, organizational components, and evaluation plans are described.
• Study designs and lessons learned, including COVID-19 pandemic disruptions, are highlighted.

Conclusions:

• The IMPACT Consortium aims to systematically improve symptom management in cancer care.
• The consortium's approach integrates effectiveness and implementation research.
• Lessons learned will inform future large-scale symptom management initiatives.