Improving Thoracic Surgical Care Using Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes (ePROS)

Purpose

This is a single-site, non-randomized study on the outcomes of remote real-time "ePRO monitoring" in thoracic surgery patients. ePRO monitoring is a health information technology intervention comprised of delivering longitudinal electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) surveys (e.g., on symptoms, and physical functioning) coupled with automated provider alerts for concerning survey responses.

Condition

  • Thoracic

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 99 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

Patients participating in ePRO monitoring must meet the following inclusion criteria to participate in this study: 1. 18 years or older 2. English or Spanish speaking 3. Able to complete a web-based, telephonic (IVR), or CRA (or other IRB-approved research team member)-administrated symptom survey 4. Planned to undergo major thoracic surgery (involving chest wall incisions and overnight admission) 5. Discharged from the thoracic surgery service 6. Discharged to home

Exclusion Criteria

All patients meeting any of the following exclusion criteria at enrollment will be excluded from study participation: 1. Not completing planned surgery within 3 months of obtaining informed consent 2. Inability to understand English or Spanish 3. Having undergone only minor thoracic surgery (e.g. bronchoscopy, cervical mediastinoscopy) 4. Dementia, altered mental status, or any psychiatric condition determined by the thoracic surgery provider team that would prohibit the understanding or rendering of informed consent. 5. Current incarceration 6. Pregnancy

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Intervention Model Description
The participants will have their alerts sent to the clinicians when concerning symptoms are reported.
Primary Purpose
Health Services Research
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Other
ePRO monitoring 		Thoracic surgery patients will be enrolled in ePRO monitoring using web-based or telephone surveys.
  • Other: Symptom monitoring
    Alerts will be sent to providers via email and/or the electronic medical record at pre-specified response thresholds. Providers will be instructed to respond to and document the management of alerts per their clinical routine.

Recruiting Locations

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
Contact:
Amanda Gentry
919-966-3381
amanda_gentry@med.unc.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Study Contact

Amanda Gentry
(336) 655-7743
Amanda_gentry@med.unc.edu

Detailed Description

Thoracic surgery patients are at high risk for severe complications post-surgery, such as respiratory failure, empyema, wound problems, and even mortality. Patients with complications may need readmission and invasive management. Usual care may not capture the symptoms of surgery complications. Well-designed remote monitoring of postoperative patients may enable early intervention and lower the risk of severe complications. This study evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of perioperative electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) monitoring in thoracic surgery patients. Previous studies demonstrated the feasibility of ePROs monitoring by thoracic surgery patients and providers. This study will explore barriers to implementation before real-world effectiveness studies.