Cancer Survivor Empowerment Through the Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes: A Quantitative Study.

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether the use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is associated with patient empowerment (PE) in cancer survivors in early survivorship.

SAMPLE &

SETTING

A convenience sample of 83 adult cancer survivors participated in a quantitative repeated-measures study at a community-based cancer center, and 33 participants who received chemotherapy as the last treatment modality of their primary cancer treatment completed a questionnaire immediately following treatment and at three months.

METHODS & VARIABLES: Participants were recruited from the medical oncology clinic by oncology nurse research assistants and completed an electronic or paper survey composed of three instruments.

RESULTS

A significant relationship was found between PE and self-efficacy, and a significant negative correlation was observed between self-efficacy and symptoms. PRO self-efficacy predicted PE following chemotherapy treatment. PE decreased at three months post-treatment.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Clinician-driven assessment is less sustainable in survivorship care. The use of PROs for symptoms and self-efficacy is related to PE. A qualitative study for conceptual clarification of PE in cancer survivors is needed. Oncology nurses are key to envisioning how to implement survivor-reported symptom assessment that builds empowerment.