Symptom Management for Cancer

In this clinical trial, patient reported outcome (PRO) assessment completion is compared between patients (undergoing systemic therapy for head and neck or lung cancer) who receive additional symptoms monitoring and evidence-based self-management strategies for those with elevated symptoms (intervention arm), and those who do not receive these (control arm). PRO measures are validated tools that capture health-related perspectives directly from the patient and are complementary to provider assessment. Timely completion of PRO assessments and symptoms management of moderate or severe symptoms are essential to improve quality of life and decrease unwanted health care utilization. However, only \~40% of patients complete PRO assessments in clinical settings. In addition, systemic therapy for cancer results in many symptoms (e.g., dry mouth, shortness of breath, constipation) not covered by the disease-general Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures. Patients in the control arm will receive the existing PROMIS assessments and a thank you message upon completion. Patients in the intervention arm will receive the PROMIS assessments in addition to nine Patient-Reported Outcome Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) most prevalent symptoms, and evidence-based self-management strategies Handbook for those with elevated symptoms. Patients in the intervention arm will enter their symptoms in a SMS text and they will be directed to the handbook for strategies to manage their elevated symptoms using a digital platform-Computerized Intervention Authoring System (CIAS)-integrated within the Epic electronic health records. Information gathered has the potential to influence cancer care practices on a larger scale, shaping policies and clinical practices to improve health outcomes for cancer patients and reducing the burden of cancer-related symptoms.