Telehealth in an Ambulatory Oncology Phase I Clinical Trial Unit

Oncology patients in Phase 1 clinical trials receive study medications administered for the first time in humans. Participants need to be monitored closely for adverse events which can be serious and have critical implications.

A single group repeated measures design was used to evaluate the effect of telehealth on patient outcomes and patient experience for up to four telehealth sessions and nursing staff perceptions of telehealth. Enrollment was limited to 21 participants, in order to limit the number of patients for a pilot study.

Telehealth sessions began within seven days after the initial treatment and occurred weekly during cycle one of the participant's Phase 1 protocol. Side effects assessed by nursing included mucositis, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, dyspnea, cough, rash, pain and fever. Patients were also given the opportunity to address other symptoms.

Original research was required to establish validity of telehealth for managing adverse events, dose limiting toxicities of study medications, and enhancing safe clinical care with potentially meeting unmet patient needs when beginning an oncology Phase 1 clinical trial.

Data Collection tools included:

• Data collection Table which includes variables, sources of data and timeframes
• Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI)
• Patient Reported Outcomes-Common Terminology for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE)
• Adverse Event for Mucositis
• Adverse Event for Nausea
• Adverse Event for Vomiting
• Adverse Event for Constipation
• Adverse Event for Diarrhea
• Adverse Event for Dyspnea
• Adverse Event for Cough
• Adverse Event for Acneiform Rash
• Adverse Event for Maculo-Papular Rash
• Adverse Event for Pain
• Adverse Event for Fever
• Nursing Perception of Telehealth Survey
• Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM). Nursing Perspective on the Feasibility of Utilizing Telehealth Technology Survey
• Nursing Experience with Telehealth and Patients' Adverse Events Survey
• Patient Feasibility Survey
• Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM). Patient Experience with Accessibility Related to Telehealth Sessions
• Patient Experience with Telehealth Survey

Inclusion criteria

• Cancer diagnosis
• Consented and registered to a Phase I oncology clinical trial
• Cycle one patient
• 18 years of age or older
• Willing to participate in weekly telehealth sessions during cycle one
• Patient Gateway account
• Zoom video application downloaded and installed
• A reliable internet connection
• A device with the following requirements

PC/Mac with:

• Chrome or Firefox as an internet browser
• Webcam
• Microphone
• Speakers or Headphones

iPhone/iPad/Android Device with:

• The Partners Patient Gateway Application
• Front facing camera

Exclusion criteria

• Adults who are unable to consent
• Individuals younger than 18 years old
• Pregnant women
• Prisoners