This randomized controlled trial will assess the effects on quality of life of two approaches to symptom management among new patients referred to a palliative care oncology clinic.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
208
Participants will be offered additional resources to promote symptom management.
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Quality of Life - McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire
Quality of life will be measured through the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire Revised (MQOL-R). The questionnaire is 15 questions assessing overall and specific areas of quality of life.
Time frame: Baseline - 16 weeks
Feasibility of Accessing Additional Resources for Symptom Management
Feasibility will be measured by whether participants accessed the additional resources for symptom management.
Time frame: Baseline - 16 weeks
Acceptability of Accessing Additional Resources for Symptom Management
Acceptability will be measured by whether participants accessed the additional resources for symptom management.
Time frame: Baseline - 16 weeks
Symptom Severity
Symptom severity will be measured through the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). The survey is 10 questions assessing the severity of pain, nausea, depression, etc. on a 0 to 10 scale-in which a 0 representing best possible state/symptom absence and a 10 representing worst possible state.
Time frame: Baseline - 16 weeks
Medication Use
Medication use will be measured through a medication diary created for the study. The medication diary asks participants about recent medications, amounts, and dosages.
Time frame: Baseline - 16 weeks
Hospital-Free Days
Hospital-free days will be measured through examination of participant's electronic health record.
Time frame: Baseline - 16 weeks
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Mortality
Mortality will be measured through examination of participant's electronic health record.
Time frame: Baseline - 16 weeks