BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS TO PATIENT ENGAGEMENT WITH PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOME MEASURE COMPLETION IN ROUTINE RADIATION ONCOLOGY CARE
Author(s)
Mariam Ahmed, BS1, Amanda Higgins, MPH2, Jason Liu, MD3, Chengbo Zeng, PhD2.
1Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA, 2Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA, 3The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
1Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA, 2Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA, 3The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures (PROMs) are powerful tools for enhancing clinician and patient communication, identifying problematic symptoms, prioritizing treatment needs, and improving the quality of care. However, PRO data can exist only when patients participate, and nonresponse emerges as a significant challenge. Patient engagement is therefore essential for successful PROM collection. In this study, we conducted in-depth interviews with adult cancer patients to explore barriers and facilitators to engagement in PROM completion during routine care in radiation oncology clinics within the Mass General Brigham (MGB) health system.
METHODS: This qualitative interview study included adult cancer patients receiving care at five radiation oncology clinics within the MGB health system between September and November 2025. We purposively recruited patients through electronic health record (EHR) portals. Demographic characteristics and clinical information were collected from the EHR and pre-interview surveys, as needed. We conducted one-on-one in-depth interviews to understand (1) patients’ experiences with PROM completion, (2) the primary challenges influencing their decisions to complete PROMs, and (3) patient-recommended solutions to address these challenges. Sample size was determined based on information saturation.
RESULTS: A total of 19 one-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted, reaching information saturation. Among participants, half were female, approximately 42% were older than 60 years, and about 32% identified as non-White. We identified two key barriers and three facilitators to PROM completion. The barriers included a lack of actionable feedback following PROM completion and long recall periods of PROMs. Facilitators included clinicians discussing PRO scores with patients during appointments, timely responses from care teams, and patients’ perceived benefits of completing PROMs.
CONCLUSIONS: Timely, actionable feedback on PRO scores and responsive clinical follow-up are important factors associated with patient engagement in PROM completion.
METHODS: This qualitative interview study included adult cancer patients receiving care at five radiation oncology clinics within the MGB health system between September and November 2025. We purposively recruited patients through electronic health record (EHR) portals. Demographic characteristics and clinical information were collected from the EHR and pre-interview surveys, as needed. We conducted one-on-one in-depth interviews to understand (1) patients’ experiences with PROM completion, (2) the primary challenges influencing their decisions to complete PROMs, and (3) patient-recommended solutions to address these challenges. Sample size was determined based on information saturation.
RESULTS: A total of 19 one-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted, reaching information saturation. Among participants, half were female, approximately 42% were older than 60 years, and about 32% identified as non-White. We identified two key barriers and three facilitators to PROM completion. The barriers included a lack of actionable feedback following PROM completion and long recall periods of PROMs. Facilitators included clinicians discussing PRO scores with patients during appointments, timely responses from care teams, and patients’ perceived benefits of completing PROMs.
CONCLUSIONS: Timely, actionable feedback on PRO scores and responsive clinical follow-up are important factors associated with patient engagement in PROM completion.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
P64
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient Engagement, Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes
Disease
SDC: Oncology