Patient use of the symptom reporting tool.

Patients frequently report symptoms to nurses without reporting them to their physicians. A variety of reasons are cited for this occurrence. The Symptom Reporting Tool was developed so that patients and family members could document their symptoms at home. By bringing the tool with them to appointments, patients found it easier to discuss problems with their physicians. Because the results of attempts to relieve these symptoms also were documented, the effectiveness of the symptom management plan was evaluated easily and a more positive patient outcome resulted.