Abstract
Background
Patients treated for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) require long-term follow-up to detect recurrent or metastatic disease, yet marked differences exist in clinical approaches to the length of follow-up, frequency of consultations and investigations undertaken at follow-up visits. There has been no published work assessing patient expectations or the acceptability of post-treatment follow-up strategies. This study aimed to assess the patient acceptability of different follow-up strategies following curative surgery for soft tissue sarcoma and to investigate the hypothetical levels of recurrence risk at which different follow-up regimes were acceptable.
Methods
Patients were recruited from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham. The study used a cross-sectional survey incorporating a best-worst scaling discrete choice experiment to assess patient preferences regarding different aspects of follow-up.
Results
132 patients participated (47% response). The nature of investigations undertaken during follow-up was the most important aspect of post-surgical care. Patients typically preferred appointments routinely consisting of clinical examination and chest X-ray, and for follow-up to remain in secondary care rather than general practice.
Conclusion
Clear protocols for STS patient follow-up can improve consistency and equity of care. In determining the optimum follow-up plan for STS patients from the patient perspective, this study provides valuable information that should be considered alongside the clinical effectiveness of follow-up strategies to maximise patient outcomes and use NHS resources appropriately.
Patients treated for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) require long-term follow-up to detect recurrent or metastatic disease, yet marked differences exist in clinical approaches to the length of follow-up, frequency of consultations and investigations undertaken at follow-up visits. There has been no published work assessing patient expectations or the acceptability of post-treatment follow-up strategies. This study aimed to assess the patient acceptability of different follow-up strategies following curative surgery for soft tissue sarcoma and to investigate the hypothetical levels of recurrence risk at which different follow-up regimes were acceptable.
Methods
Patients were recruited from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham. The study used a cross-sectional survey incorporating a best-worst scaling discrete choice experiment to assess patient preferences regarding different aspects of follow-up.
Results
132 patients participated (47% response). The nature of investigations undertaken during follow-up was the most important aspect of post-surgical care. Patients typically preferred appointments routinely consisting of clinical examination and chest X-ray, and for follow-up to remain in secondary care rather than general practice.
Conclusion
Clear protocols for STS patient follow-up can improve consistency and equity of care. In determining the optimum follow-up plan for STS patients from the patient perspective, this study provides valuable information that should be considered alongside the clinical effectiveness of follow-up strategies to maximise patient outcomes and use NHS resources appropriately.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1655-1661 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO) |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| Early online date | 26 Jun 2014 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2014 |
Keywords
- soft tissue sarcoma
- follow-up
- secondary care
- discrete choice experiment
- best-worst scaling