Reporting health‐related quality of life scores to physicians during routine follow‐up visits of pediatric oncology patients: Is it effective?

Abstract

Background The aim of the current study is to investigate the effectiveness of an intervention that provides health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) scores of the patient (the QLIC‐ON PROfile) to the pediatric oncologist. Procedure Children with cancer participated in a sequential cohort intervention study: intervention N = 94, control N = 99. Primary outcomes of effectiveness were communication about HRQOL domains (t‐test, Mann–Whitney U‐test) and identification of HRQOL problems (chi‐squared test). Secondary outcomes were satisfaction (multilevel analysis), referrals (chi‐squared test), and HRQOL (multilevel analysis). Results The QLIC‐ON PROfile increased discussion of emotional functioning (control M = 32.9 vs. intervention M = 47.4, P < 0.05) and psychosocial functioning (M = 56.9 vs. M = 63.8, P < 0.05). Additionally more emotional problems remained unidentified in the control compared to the intervention group, for example, anger (control 26% vs. intervention 3%, P < 0.01), fear (14% vs. 0%, P < 0.01), and sadness (26% vs. 0%, P < 0.001). The intervention had no effect on satisfaction and referrals, but did improve HRQOL of patients 5–7 years of age with respect to self‐esteem (P < 0.05), family activities (P < 0.05), and psychosocial functioning (P < 0.01). Conclusions We conclude that a PRO is a helpful tool for systematic monitoring HRQOL of children with cancer, without lengthening the duration of the consultation. It is recommended to be implemented in clinical practice. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 766–774.