Poster Presentation 2025 Joint Meeting of the COSA ASM and IPOS Congress

Are oncology health professionals ready for patient-reported outcome measures in clinical practice? Results of a self-assessment survey. (126605)

Chindhu Shunmuga Sundaram 1 , Haryana Dhillon 1 , Nicholas Wilcken 2 , Sandra Turner 3 , Melanie Rabbets 2 , Rosemary Habib 2 , Verity Ahern 3 , Puma Sundaresan 3
  1. Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  2. Department of Medical Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Western Sydney Local Health District, Westmead, NSW, Australia
  3. Radiation Oncology Network, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Background:
Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are recognized as essential tools in cancer care to capture patients’ perspectives on their health, symptoms, and quality of life. While international guidelines strongly advocate for integrating PROMs into routine clinical practice, their uptake remains inconsistent due to limited awareness, training, and perceived applicability across multidisciplinary teams. This study aimed to assess knowledge, familiarity, and confidence regarding PROMs among multidisciplinary healthcare professionals (HCPs) within Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Cancer Services to inform targeted educational strategies.

Methods:
A cross-sectional online survey was developed and distributed to eligible HCPs involved in cancer care across Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals. Recruitment was via emails through Cancer Services networks, with passive snowball sampling. Interested participants were provided a participant information statement and asked to provide consent in REDCap prior to accessing the online survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize findings.

Results:
Recruitment to this survey continues. Preliminary analysis shows 46 of 53 consented participants completed the survey (30 females, 16 males). Professions represented included radiation oncology (28%), nursing (17%), and medical oncology (9%). While most participants were aware of PROMs (80%), only 48% had used them in clinical practice. Familiarity with PROMs was moderate or lower in >70% of respondents. Major knowledge gaps were identified in areas such as selecting appropriate PROMs (62% slightly/not knowledgeable), integrating PROMs into clinical care (54%), and using them in end-of-life (70%) and survivorship contexts (63%). The majority agreed HCPs across Cancer Services within WSLHD require tailored education (80%) and training (78%) to confidently use PROMs in clinical practice.

Conclusion:
Findings highlight significant gaps in PROM-related knowledge and skills among HCPs within Cancer Services. These early insights reinforce the need for targeted, multidisciplinary training to support PROMs implementation in cancer care pathways.