A randomized study of telephone contact following completion of radiotherapy

The hypothesis tested was that routine contact by telephone might significantly improve the adequacy of support for patients during the potentially stressful period between completing radiotherapy and the first follow-up visit. The study was a randomized controlled trial in which 100 patients were allocated either to telephone contact (intervention arm) or usual care (control arm). Adequacy of support was assessed by a questionnaire administered at the first follow-up visit. There were no significant differences in the perceived adequacy of support between the two arms. Of the 72 patients who completed questionnaires, 76% of those in the intervention arm versus 61% in the control arm rated their support after radiotherapy as 'extremely adequate'. The 95% confidence interval (CI) for this 15% rate difference was -6- +36. Analysis by intention to treat showed a rate difference of only 4% (95% CI -17-(+)25) in favour of intervention. We conclude that, given the limited resources currently available, it is not possible to justify a policy of routine contact by telephone for all patients completing radiotherapy.