Interventions influencing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) response rates in cancer: a scoping review

Despite the emerging evidence around patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) monitoring benefits in oncology, completion rates remain low due to numerous multi-level barriers. This review summarizes existing literature on interventions employed to improve PROMs response rates in routine practice among patients with cancer.

PubMed database was used to perform a literature search of articles published between 2000 and 2022. Articles were included if they focused on PROMs implementation in non-clinical trial setting and reported results on methodologies and their influence on response rates.

A total of 495 abstracts were screened for eligibility, and 14 articles that met the inclusion criteria were included. PROMs mode of administration varied between electronic only (four studies, 28.6%), paper only (two studies, 14.3%), electronic-paper (six studies, 42.9%), and electronic-telephone (two studies, 14.3%). Reminder systems, using electronic, paper, or in-person, were implemented in 12 studies (85.7%). Different strategies of initial recruitment, aiming to enhance patients' PROM engagements, were outlined in five studies (35.7%).

Multiple interventions were implemented to improve PROMs completion rates. Mode of questionnaire administration, reminder systems, patient education on benefits of PROMs, and clinical staff involvement were shown to be effective in increasing the overall completion rate.

This review provides a summary for researchers and clinicians on the current practice of PROMs implementation, thus creating a framework for the impact of different methodologies on patient's response rate for better monitoring of recurring symptoms, including long-term side effects, emotional distress, and changes in health-related quality of life.