Using Follow-Up Telephone Calls to Identify Obstacles to Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting.

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in antiemetic regimens, uncontrolled chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains a problem for patients receiving oncology treatment, leading to decreased quality of life and worse treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this pilot project was to use follow-up telephone calls to identify barriers related to successful management and prevention of CINV on a single-center outpatient chemotherapy infusion unit.

METHODS

A mixed-methods descriptive design was used for this project. Quantitative data were used to assess barriers to management and prevention of CINV. Secondary multiple regression analysis was used to determine whether barriers could predict CINV. Qualitative data were used to analyze common barriers and themes.

FINDINGS: Of the patients called (N = 132), 50% identified a barrier to managing and treating CINV, with the most common barrier being knowledge gaps related to proper use of antiemetics.