ESMO Congress 2023 | OncologyPRO

Abstract 2165P

Background

Monitoring symptoms and toxicities through the use of electronic objects (electronic patient-reported outcomes, ePRO) has been shown to improve overall survival and quality of life in several clinical trials in oncology. We intended to investigate the use of ePRO in France in 2022.

Methods

An electronic form was sent to pharmacists in 416 cancer departments. Data were collected from October 2022 to December 2022. Pharmacists were asked about their use of ePRO, funding, potential improvements, and barriers to implementation.

Results

We obtained a participation rate of 25% (114/416 cancer departments, 2 were excluded due to misunderstanding). Only 13% (n=15) use ePRO.

ePRO users mentioned potential improvements in the technology : implementation of the ePRO platform directly into the patient record and a desire to improve communication between professionals (n=5). Difficulties they encountered were mainly interoperability, which affects efficiency (n=5), and lack of human resources (n=3).

Of the 97 who do not use ePRO, 42% (n=41) are unaware of the existence of ePRO. 67% (n=65) of them would like to implement ePRO and hospital implementation is planned in 28% (n=27) of cancer departments. They describe possible difficulties due to lack of time to check patients' answers (74%, n=72), lack of human resources (67%, n=65), lack of financial resources (n=6, 6%), and digital literacy in elderly patients (5%, n=5).

Conclusions

A majority of cancer departments showed interest into ePROs. Two categories of improvements were identified : human resources to help with deployment, and better software to improve interoperability. The reimbursement of electronic monitoring starting in 2023 in France will encourage its incorporation in routine practice.