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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03850912

Symptom Management Implementation of Patient Reported Outcomes in Oncology

Deficits in the management of common symptoms cause substantial morbidity for cancer patients.Because the health care delivery system is structured to be reactive and not proactive, there are missed opportunities to optimize symptom control. Growth in Internet access and proliferation of smartphones has created an opportunity to re-engineer cancer care delivery. Electronic symptom tracking and feedback is a promising strategy to improve symptom control. Electronic patient reported outcome (ePRO) monitoring of cancer symptoms has been shown to decrease symptom burden, improve quality of life, reduce acute care and even extend survival. SIMPRO will use functioning ePRO prototypes to create and refine the electronic symptom management system eSyM

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, United States

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About this study

A multi-disciplinary team of investigators from 6 health systems have formed the Symptom Management IMplementation of Patient Reported Outcomes in Oncology (SIMPRO) Research Center. SIMPRO will use functioning ePRO prototypes to create and refine the electronic symptom management system eSyM. eSyM is the name of the platform the team will refine, integrate, implement and evaluate. eSyM addresses each of the 4 evidence gaps by:

  • Implementing eSyM in cancer centers in small, rural or community-based systems.
  • Integrating eSyM into the EHR (electronic health record) of the predominant vendor used nationwide.
  • Leveraging evidence-based tools, patient engagement, and population management.
  • Executing this work using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research across all phases to maximize the chances that eSyM and similar systems achieve their intended goals and decrease the morbidity of cancer treatment at a population level.

This project contains 5 activities:

  • Obtain stakeholder feedback
  • Build and deploy eSyM
  • Pilot test eSyM
  • Pragmatic stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial
  • Integration of eSyM data to develop algorithms to estimate the risk of experiencing an outcome, including, but not limited to, ED usage and hospitalization among cancer patients

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Stakeholder Feedback and Stakeholder Qualitative Interviews Population:

  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • The potential stakeholders are: patient advisory council members, health system leaders, clinicians, clinic support staff/administration, IT/Informatics staff

Cluster Randomized Trial, Patient QualitativeInterviews, Pilot Testing & SASS Questionnaire Population:

  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Priority population will be patients who meet one of the following:
  • Suspected thoracic cancer [lung or bronchus] AND is inpatient following thoracic surgery.
  • Suspected gastrointestinal cancer [colorectal, pancreas, liver/biliary, esophagus,or gastric] AND is inpatient following gastrointestinal surgery.
  • Suspected gynecologic cancer [ovary, uterus, or cervix] AND is inpatient following gynecologic surgery.
  • Diagnosis of thoracic cancer [lung or bronchus] AND scheduled to start a new treatment plan for thoracic cancer.
  • Diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer [colorectal, pancreas, liver/biliary, esophagus,or gastric] AND scheduled to start a new treatment plan for gastrointestinal cancer.
  • Diagnosis of gynecologic cancer [ovary, uterus, or cervix] AND scheduled to start a new treatment plan for gynecologic cancer.
  • Total population allowed to use eSyM:
  • Any patient at any participating site.

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants not meeting the inclusion critera above.

Treatment and study plan

Stakeholder Survey (Control Period)

Other

Before eSyM go-live, study team members from each site will solicit input via emailed survey, remote meetings and/or in-person meeting on the use of ePROs in oncology from stakeholders to obtain input regarding adaptation, anticipated challenges, and implementation.

Stakeholder Survey (Intervention Period)

Other

After eSyM go-live and on an ongoing basis, we will evaluate the implementation process at each of the sites with a focus on adoption, appropriateness, acceptability, sustainability, penetration, and scalability. We will do so through emailed surveys and/or discussions with health system leadership, clinicians, clinic support staff, and informatics/IT staff.

Qualitative interview

Other

A small subset of patients and stakeholders were invited to take part in qualitative interviews after the eSyM trial rollout.

SASS Questionnaire

Other

A subset of control and intervention patients will be asked to complete a research questionnaire called the "SASS Questionnaire" asking about their Self-efficacy, Attainment of information needs, Symptom burden, and Satisfaction with care.

eSyM

Other

The electronic symptom management (eSyM) program is the EHR-integrated ePRO program being evaluated through this trial.

Primary outcomes

  1. Emergency Department Treat/Release [EDTR] Event Occurrence Status at Day 30

    Time frame: 30 days

    The primary study outcome of the stepped wedge cluster RCT (randomized controlled trial) is the EDTR rate. This outcome will be defined in relation to the date of discharge from hospital (surgical cohort) or the initiation date of a new intravenous chemo regimen (medical oncology cohort). This is a binary outcome and we will analyze the absolute difference and odds ratio for the medical oncology and surgical cohorts combined and independently.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Emergency Department Treat/Release [EDTR] Event Occurrence Status at Day 90

    Time frame: 90 days

    This outcome will be defined in relation to the date of discharge from hospital (surgical cohort) or the initiation date of a new intravenous chemo regimen (medical oncology cohort). This is a binary outcome and we will analyze the absolute difference and odds ratio for the medical oncology and surgical cohorts combined and independently.

  2. Admissions Event Occurrence Status at Day 30

    Time frame: 30 Days

    This outcome will be defined in relation to the date of discharge from hospital (surgical cohort) or the initiation date of a new intravenous chemo regimen (medical oncology cohort). This is a binary outcome and we will analyze the absolute difference and odds ratio for the medical oncology and surgical cohorts combined and independently.

  3. Admissions Event Occurrence Status at Day 90

    Time frame: 90 Days

    This outcome will be defined in relation to the date of discharge from hospital (surgical cohort) or the initiation date of a new intravenous chemo regimen (medical oncology cohort). This is a binary outcome and we will analyze the absolute difference and odds ratio for the medical oncology and surgical cohorts combined and independently.

  4. Difference in Fatigue PROMIS Scores Reported by Participants Before and After eSyM Exposure

    Time frame: 30-90 days before and after eSyM go-live

    Difference in PROMIS fatigue scores between the pre-live and post-live eSyM cohorts. Since the two cohorts were comprised of different patients, comparisons were performed at the population level using mean T-scores. Fatigue was assessed using the PROMIS Fatigue 4-item short form with responses converted to T-scores (score range: 50 indicates the population mean with a standard deviation of 10; decrease in score indicates a positive change). All PROMIS items were scored using the standardized scoring tool kit. The differences in mean T-scores and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each PROMIS item, comparing the post-live versus pre-live cohort. When comparing group-level change in PROMIS scores, even trivial differences can be statistically significant if the sample size is large enough. The threshold to evaluate within-group change or to make a between-group comparison generally ranges between 2 and 6 T-score points (Terwee et al., 2021).

  5. Difference in Depression PROMIS Scores Reported by Participants Before and After eSyM Exposure

    Time frame: 30-90 days before and after eSyM go-live

    Difference in PROMIS depression scores between the pre-live and post-live eSyM cohorts. Since the two cohorts were comprised of different patients, comparisons were performed at the population level using mean T-scores. Depression was assessed using the PROMIS Emotional Distress-Depression 4-item short form with responses converted to T-scores (score range: 50 indicates the population mean with a standard deviation of 10; decrease in score indicates a positive change). All PROMIS items were scored using the standardized scoring tool kit. The differences in mean T-scores and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each PROMIS item, comparing the post-live versus pre-live cohort. When comparing group-level change in PROMIS scores, even trivial differences can be statistically significant if the sample size is large enough. The threshold to evaluate within-group change or to make a between-group comparison generally ranges between 2 and 6 T-score points.

  6. Difference in Anxiety PROMIS Scores Reported by Participants Before and After eSyM Exposure

    Time frame: 30-90 days before and after eSyM go-live

    Difference in PROMIS anxiety scores between the pre-live and post-live eSyM cohorts. Since the two cohorts were comprised of different patients, comparisons were performed at the population level using mean T-scores. Anxiety was assessed using the PROMIS Emotional Distress-Anxiety 4-item short form with responses converted to T-scores (score range: 50 indicates the population mean with a standard deviation of 10; decrease in score indicates a positive change). All PROMIS items were scored using the standardized scoring tool kit. The differences in mean T-scores and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each PROMIS item, comparing the post-live versus pre-live cohort. When comparing group-level change in PROMIS scores, even trivial differences can be statistically significant if the sample size is large enough. The threshold to evaluate within-group change or to make a between-group comparison generally ranges between 2 and 6 T-score points.

  7. Difference in Pain Interference PROMIS Scores Reported by Participants Before and After eSyM Exposure

    Time frame: 30-90 days before and after eSyM go-live

    Difference in PROMIS pain interference scores between the pre-live and post-live eSyM cohorts. Since the two cohorts were comprised of different patients, comparisons were performed at the population level using mean T-scores. Pain interference was assessed using the PROMIS Pain Interference 4-item short form with responses converted to T-scores (score range: 50 indicates the population mean with a standard deviation of 10; decrease in score indicates a positive change). All PROMIS items were scored using the standardized scoring tool kit. The differences in mean T-scores and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each PROMIS item, comparing the post-live versus pre-live cohort. When comparing group-level change in PROMIS scores, even trivial differences can be statistically significant if the sample size is large enough. The threshold to evaluate within-group change or to make a between-group comparison generally ranges between 2 and 6 T-score points.

  8. Difference in Self-Efficacy PROMIS Scores Reported by Participants Before and After eSyM Exposure

    Time frame: 30-90 days before and after eSyM go-live

    Difference in PROMIS self-efficacy scores between pre-live and post-live eSyM cohorts. Since the two cohorts were comprised of different patients, comparisons were performed at the population level using mean T-scores. Self-efficacy was assessed using the PROMIS Self-Efficacy for Managing Symptoms 8-item short form with responses converted to T-scores (score range: 50 indicates the population mean with a standard deviation of 10; decrease in score indicates a positive change). All PROMIS items were scored using the standardized scoring tool kit. The differences in mean T-scores and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each PROMIS item, comparing the post-live versus pre-live cohort. When comparing group-level change in PROMIS scores, even trivial differences can be statistically significant if the sample size is large enough. The threshold to evaluate within-group change or to make a between-group comparison generally ranges between 2 and 6 T-score points.

  9. Difference in Physical Function PROMIS Scores Reported by Participants Before and After eSyM Exposure

    Time frame: 30-90 days before and after eSyM go-live

    Difference in PROMIS physical function scores between the pre-live and post-live eSyM cohorts. Since the two cohorts were comprised of different patients, comparisons were performed at the population level using mean T-scores. Physical function was assessed using the PROMIS Physical Function 4-item short form with responses converted to T-scores (score range: 50 indicates the population mean with a standard deviation of 10; decrease in score indicates a positive change). All PROMIS items were scored using the standardized scoring tool kit. The differences in mean T-scores and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each PROMIS item, comparing the post-live versus pre-live cohort. When comparing group-level change in PROMIS scores, even trivial differences can be statistically significant if the sample size is large enough. The threshold to evaluate within-group change or to make a between-group comparison generally ranges between 2 and 6 T-score points).

  10. Emergency Department Treat/Release [EDTR] Event Occurrence Status at Day 30 (Comparing eSyM Intervention Responders Versus Non-Responders)

    Time frame: 30 days

    The secondary study outcome of the stepped wedge cluster RCT (randomized controlled trial) is the difference in the EDTR rate between eSyM responders and non-responders. This outcome will be defined in relation to the date of discharge from hospital (surgical cohort) or the initiation date of a new intravenous chemo regimen (medical oncology cohort). This is a binary outcome and we will analyze the absolute difference and odds ratio for the medical oncology and surgical cohorts combined and independently.

    NOTE: The total number of intervention participants in this analysis is greater than the number of intervention participants included in the primary analyses (outcomes 1-4). For outcomes outcomes 1-4, we used the patient's first event during the entire study period. To conduct this analysis of eSyM responders, we used the patient's first event during the intervention period. Approximately 10% of patients in this analysis were counted as a control event in the prior analyses.

  11. Emergency Department Treat/Release [EDTR] Event Occurrence Status at Day 90 (Comparing eSyM Intervention Responders Versus Non-Responders)

    Time frame: 90 days

    This outcome will be defined in relation to the date of discharge from hospital (surgical cohort) or the initiation date of a new intravenous chemo regimen (medical oncology cohort). This is a binary outcome and we will analyze the absolute difference and odds ratio for the medical oncology and surgical cohorts combined and independently.

    NOTE: The total number of intervention participants in this analysis is greater than the number of intervention participants included in the primary analyses (outcomes 1-4). For outcomes outcomes 1-4, we used the patient's first event during the entire study period. To conduct this analysis of eSyM responders, we used the patient's first event during the intervention period. Approximately 10% of patients in this analysis were counted as a control event in the prior analyses.

  12. Admissions Event Occurrence Status at Day 30 (Comparing eSyM Intervention Responders Versus Non-Responders)

    Time frame: 30 Days

    This outcome will be defined in relation to the date of discharge from hospital (surgical cohort) or the initiation date of a new intravenous chemo regimen (medical oncology cohort). This is a binary outcome and we will analyze the absolute difference and odds ratio for the medical oncology and surgical cohorts combined and independently.

    NOTE: The total number of intervention participants in this analysis is greater than the number of intervention participants included in the primary analyses (outcomes 1-4). For outcomes outcomes 1-4, we used the patient's first event during the entire study period. To conduct this analysis of eSyM responders, we used the patient's first event during the intervention period. Approximately 10% of patients in this analysis were counted as a control event in the prior analyses.

  13. Admissions Event Occurrence Status at Day 90 (Comparing eSyM Intervention Responders Versus Non-Responders)

    Time frame: 90 Days

    This outcome will be defined in relation to the date of discharge from hospital (surgical cohort) or the initiation date of a new intravenous chemo regimen (medical oncology cohort). This is a binary outcome and we will analyze the absolute difference and odds ratio for the medical oncology and surgical cohorts combined and independently.

    NOTE: The total number of intervention participants in this analysis is greater than the number of intervention participants included in the primary analyses (outcomes 1-4). For outcomes outcomes 1-4, we used the patient's first event during the entire study period. To conduct this analysis of eSyM responders, we used the patient's first event during the intervention period. Approximately 10% of patients in this analysis were counted as a control event in the prior analyses.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Other

Collaborators

  • Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation
  • Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
  • Lifespan
  • MaineHealth
  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  • RTI International
  • West Virginia University

Registry information

Official study title

SIMPRO Research Center: Integration and Implementation of PROs for Symptom Management in Oncology Practice

Acronym: SIMPRO

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2025
First posted
Feb 22, 2019
Registry last updated
Aug 27, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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