Advancing Global Cancer Symptom Science: Insights and Strategies From the Inaugural Cancer Symptom Science Expert...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Symptom Science
• Implementation Science

Background:

• The inaugural Cancer Symptom Science Expert Meeting convened 40 nurse scientists from seven countries.
• The meeting focused on enhancing global collaboration and identifying research priorities in symptom science.
• Key challenges and opportunities in international symptom science research were discussed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize meeting discussions and recommendations.
• To introduce the Global Research Alliance in Symptom Science (GRASS).

Main Methods:

• A 2-day expert meeting featured presentations on critical issues in symptom science.
• Four working groups (WGs) were formed to address identified knowledge gaps.
• WGs outlined strategic directions and actions to advance symptom science.

Main Results:

• WG1: Recommendations on optimal collection, analysis, and use of symptom data.
• WG2: Development of a minimum dataset/common data model for symptom research.
• WG3: Enhancing implementation science for evidence-based symptom management.
• WG4: Capacity building and infrastructure for the Global Research Alliance in Symptom Science (GRASS).

Conclusions:

• International scientists are committed to advancing symptom science through collaborative efforts.
• The groundwork was laid for establishing GRASS, a global research alliance.
• Future directions include regular meetings, interdisciplinary collaboration, and engagement with scientists.