Patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience serious side effects that limit their quality of life during treatment. In this randomized trial sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and led by CMCD-affliated investigator, Maria Silveira, MD, CMCD developed and evaluated a version of the CarePartner Program for Veterans with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Patients received regular automated symptom monitoring and management calls post-hospitalization, and informal caregivers (CarePartners) had access to a suite of online resources for assisting their loved one in managing chemotherapy side effects.
Seventy percent of the intervention patients completing the program reported that their general health was better as a result participation, and 70% also reported that their symptom management improved. Most (79%) CarePartners reported an increase in the patient’s quality of life because of the program – substantially more than randomized controls (46%). While outcome analyses are ongoing, preliminary analyses suggest that patients in the CarePartner Program intervention arm are able to tolerate their chemotherapy at higher doses and for longer periods of time.
Learn more about the CarePartner Program.
For more information, contact D'Andra Featherstone at d'andra.featherstone@va.gov.
Categories:
Cancer, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), Internet, Mobile Health, Veterans
