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Identifying patient symptoms after radiotherapy using a nurse-managed telephone interview
M A Rose1, C L Shrader-Bogen, G Korlath
1Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
Oncology Nursing Forum
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Nurse-managed telephone interviews effectively identified post-radiotherapy symptoms in common cancer patients. This follow-up approach allows for timely nursing interventions and quality improvement in radiation oncology care.
Area of Science:
- Oncology Nursing
- Patient Symptom Management
- Radiotherapy Quality Assurance
Background:
- A significant majority of patients experience symptoms during and after radiotherapy.
- Effective post-treatment monitoring is crucial for managing patient morbidity and improving care quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify patient symptoms following radiotherapy for common cancers.
- To evaluate the utility of nurse-managed telephone interviews for symptom assessment and intervention.
Main Methods:
- A quality assurance project involving 111 patients undergoing radiotherapy for prostate, head/neck, lung, or breast cancer.
- Data collected via end-of-treatment evaluations and telephone interviews 14-21 days post-therapy.
- Interviews focused on existing symptoms and common site-specific side effects.
Main Results:
- 94% of patients had symptoms at the end of treatment.
- 18% of patients reported new symptoms developing post-therapy.
- Nurses independently managed 95% of telephone follow-up calls.
Conclusions:
- Most patients experience symptoms in the period immediately after radiotherapy.
- Nurse-led telephone follow-up is an effective method for assessing short-term morbidity.
- This program can be integrated into radiation centers for quality improvement, patient support, and education.