Projected referral to other healthcare services in an outpatient palliative radiotherapy clinic

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the projected referral to other healthcare services in an outpatient palliative radiotherapy clinic. Methods: Patients referred for palliative radiotherapy from 1999 to 2002 inclusive and 2007 to 2009 inclusive were evaluated. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, which assesses nine symptoms, was completed by 1439 patients prior to radiotherapy consultation. The numeric scale was converted into a categorical scale of none, mild, moderate and severe. Patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms were identified as potential referrals to other healthcare services. Results: Tiredness (66%), poor sense of wellbeing (64%), pain (57%) and poor appetite (52%) had the most patients scoring in the moderate-to-severe range. Moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression occurred in 39 and 30% of patients, respectively, reflecting the percentage of projected referrals for symptom and/or psychosocial management. Conclusion: Cancer symptoms are complex, and a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach should be taken to provide timely management and maintain patients’ quality of life.

Keywords::

• healthcare facilities
• metastasis
• referral and consultation
• signs and symptoms

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This study was supported by the Joseph and Silvana Melara Cancer Research Fund. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.