Quality of Life Assessment in Routine Clinical Oncology Practice at the University Hospital of Besancon

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of using in routinely clinical practice a systematic assessment of HRQoL in patients treated for a newly diagnosis cancer at the University Hospital of Besançon. It aims to define the logistic resources needed to implement this data collection and to assess its acceptability by clinicians, healthcare team and patients. This involves asking patients to complete HRQoL questionnaires at the time of an outpatient visit and generating a summary of the results made available to the healthcare provider immediately before the consultation.

In this pilot study, three cancer sites were selected: breast cancer in women, colorectal cancer and lung cancer. Patients included will be invited to complete the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 cancer specific questionnaire and the specific module of their cancer site (QLQ-BR23, QLQ-CR29, QLQ-LC13) before each visit with their physician. Results from HRQoL questionnaires will be immediately available to physician through a web-based portal during the visit. As part of the pilot phase, patients will be followed during four months while HRQoL will be pursued.

Questionnaires completion will be administrated by digital tablets and/or computer terminals via the CHES software (Computer-based Health Evaluation System; http:// www.ches.pro/) at the University Hospital of Besançon just before the visit with physician or at home via secured web-portal. This tool provides a didactic and attractive presentation of the HRQOL evaluation allowing physician a better understanding and consideration of HRQoL results. Indeed, results of a routinely assessment of HRQoL will be incorporated into the patient's electronic medical record. Physicians will be alerted if a clinically significant deterioration of at least one HRQoL dimension is observed over time and/or if the HRQoL level is significantly lower than reference/ normative data. In case of deterioration of HRQoL, physician may adapted the treatment or prescribed adapted supportive cares.

This feasibility study aims to assess the acceptability of the HRQoL assessment in routinely practice: to quantify the attrition, to observe the exhaustiveness of the measure, the compliance and the ability of the patient to complete HRQoL questionnaires and finally to evaluate both patient and clinician's satisfaction. The difficulties eventually encountered by the clinical research associate and by physicians will be also collected.