S Damery1, M Biswas2, L Billingham3, P Barton4, H Al-Janabi5, R Grimer6. 1. Primary Care Clinical Sciences, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, West Midlands B15 2TT, United Kingdom. Electronic address: s.l.damery@bham.ac.uk. 2. Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit and MRC Midland Hub for Trials Methodology Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, West Midlands B15 2TT, United Kingdom. Electronic address: m.biswas@bristol.ac.uk. 3. Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit and MRC Midland Hub for Trials Methodology Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, West Midlands B15 2TT, United Kingdom. Electronic address: l.j.billingham@bham.ac.uk. 4. Health Economics Unit, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, West Midlands B15 2TT, United Kingdom. Electronic address: p.m.barton@bham.ac.uk. 5. Health Economics Unit, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, West Midlands B15 2TT, United Kingdom. Electronic address: h.aljanabi@bham.ac.uk. 6. Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol Road South, Northfield, Birmingham B31 2AP, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Robert.grimer@nhs.net.
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.
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.
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