Exploring the acceptability and feasibility of patient-initiated follow-up for women treated for stage I endometrial cancer
File(s)PIFU paper revised 07 11 19.docx (88.87 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Beaver, Kinta
Martin-Hirsch, Pierre
Williamson, Susan
Kyrgiou, Maria
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
PURPOSE: There is a strong shift away from hospital-based approaches to follow-up after active treatment for cancer with supported self-management being promoted as an approach to long term recovery. We aimed to determine the acceptability and feasibility of patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU), supported by a self-management approach, for patients treated for Stage I endometrial cancer. METHODS: A mixed methods study was undertaken. Participants were asked to forego hospital outpatient follow-up appointments, supported by a self-management approach. Outcome measures included satisfaction with information and service, psychological morbidity, quality of life and preferences for follow-up. Qualitative interviews were carried out with study participants to determine their views on follow-up in general and PIFU in particular. RESULTS: We recruited 17 patients. High levels of satisfaction were evident with no physical or psychological detriment. Self-management was a favoured option. Participants questioned the value of hospital follow-up and were willing to engage in self-management if they knew who to contact if they had a problem and were aware of the signs and symptoms of recurrence. However, uptake to the study was low and further work is needed to explore if recruitment to a randomised controlled trial (RCT) is a viable option. CONCLUSIONS: Alternative approaches to hospital-based follow-up need to demonstrate that patients feel supported, knowing what symptoms to report and to whom. This study shows acceptability of a supported self-management approach but raises some concerns about the feasibility of recruitment to a future RCT.
Date Issued
2020-02-01
Date Acceptance
2019-11-26
Citation
European Journal of Oncology Nursing (EJON), 2020, 44
ISSN
1462-3889
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
European Journal of Oncology Nursing (EJON)
Volume
44
Copyright Statement
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31812918
PII: S1462-3889(19)30172-3
Subjects
Endometrial cancer
Feasibility study
Gynaecological cancer
Patient-initiated follow-up
Self-management
Survivorship
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Scotland
Article Number
ARTN 101704
Date Publish Online
2019-11-28