Feasibility and Psychometric Properties of Paper vs. Web vs. Automated Telephone Administration of Patient Reported Outcome Surveys

A Comparison of the Feasibility and Psychometric Properties of Paper vs. Web vs. Automated Telephone Administration of Patient Reported Outcome Surveys

It can be difficult to obtain the perspective of patients who have had bowel surgery. This study is being done because the investigators are trying to find out whether patient-reported outcomes, (results reported to investigators by the patient), on a regular basis, will help the investigators provide better patient care and symptom management.

Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine if it is possible and if it is useful to their medical care for patients who have had bowel surgery to complete surveys about their symptoms on a regular basis. In this study the surveys are completed from home, by web or by telephone, every month for 6 months. The results of this study will guide the design of large research studies on cancer-related bowel function.

The purpose of this study is to develop a bowel function questionnaire for patients with colorectal cancer. The questionnaire will be used in future clinical trials to assess bowel function.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Rectal Cancer; Colon Cancer
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: surveys; Behavioral: surveys; Behavioral: surveys; Behavioral: Surveys

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 325

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • New York
    • New York, New York, United States, 10065
      • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients will be screened in colorectal surgery clinics on the 3rd floor of the MSKCC 53rd Street outpatient clinic buildings or at the Main Hospital at 1275 York Avenue or while they are an inpatients. Patients will be approached within 1-5 weeks post operatively to ensure that they can complete the first survey within the 4-6 week window.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Aim 1:

• Stage I-III rectal cancer
• Post sphincter preserving surgery with restoration of bowel continuity within last 4-6 weeks at MSKCC.
• Access to web and email from home
• Web avidity (≥2 uses of email/week)
• Able to read and write in English
• Age ≥ 18

Aim 2:

• Stage I-III colon and rectal cancer
• Post surgical resection of primary tumor at MSKCC
• Access to web and email from home
• Web avidity (≥2 uses of email/week)
• Able to read and write in English
• Age ≥ 18

Exclusion Criteria:

Aim 1:

• Metastatic disease - Auditory, visual or motor impairment that would preclude ability to use telephone and/or computer.
• Stoma
• Participated in Aim 2
• Definitive SPS = Transanal Excision (TAE) or Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM)

Aim 2:

• Metastatic disease - Auditory, visual or motor impairment that would preclude ability to use telephone and/or computer.
• Stoma
• Participated in Aim 1

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

4

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
IVRS ( interactive voice response system) EASP; Telephone Group with Nurse Intervention	Behavioral: surveys; IVRS: An interactive voice response system (IVRS) is an automated telephone platform. The IVRS system will allow the participant to complete the survey when they receive the call and/or to call the system within the survey window to complete the survey. In each group, administration of a survey including the BFI, PRO-CTCAE sexual function items, and QOL LASA and in each group, the survey will be conducted once a month over a six-month period. The intervention will be an email alert to study personnel (EASP). Patients randomized to EASP will receive a phone call if their bowel function by the clinical office nurse if the study personnel determine that the patient's BFI, as reported on the monthly survey, is less than 53 (lowest quartile scores). Interventions that may occur include dietary and/or medication advice at the discretion of the office staff.; Behavioral: surveys; Web: Study participants will be sent an email containing a link to the web survey. The participants will click on the link and complete the survey. Study participants may also login to the web survey independent of the link received via email. In each group, administration of a survey including the BFI, PRO-CTCAE sexual function items, and QOL LASA and in each group, the survey will be conducted once a month over a six-month period. Patients randomized to EASP will receive a phone call if their bowel function by the clinical office nurse if the study personnel determine that the patient's BFI, as reported on the monthly survey, is less than 53 (lowest quartile scores). Interventions that may occur include dietary and/or medication advice at the discretion of the office staff.; Behavioral: surveys; IVRS: An interactive voice response system (IVRS) is an automated telephone platform. The IVRS system will allow the participant to complete the survey when they receive the call and/or to call the system within the survey window to complete the survey. In each group, administration of a survey including the BFI, PRO-CTCAE sexual function items, and QOL LASA and in each group, the survey will be conducted once a month over a six-month period. This group will not get a phone call.
Web EASP; Web Group with Nurse Intervention	Behavioral: surveys; IVRS: An interactive voice response system (IVRS) is an automated telephone platform. The IVRS system will allow the participant to complete the survey when they receive the call and/or to call the system within the survey window to complete the survey. In each group, administration of a survey including the BFI, PRO-CTCAE sexual function items, and QOL LASA and in each group, the survey will be conducted once a month over a six-month period. The intervention will be an email alert to study personnel (EASP). Patients randomized to EASP will receive a phone call if their bowel function by the clinical office nurse if the study personnel determine that the patient's BFI, as reported on the monthly survey, is less than 53 (lowest quartile scores). Interventions that may occur include dietary and/or medication advice at the discretion of the office staff.; Behavioral: surveys; Web: Study participants will be sent an email containing a link to the web survey. The participants will click on the link and complete the survey. Study participants may also login to the web survey independent of the link received via email. In each group, administration of a survey including the BFI, PRO-CTCAE sexual function items, and QOL LASA and in each group, the survey will be conducted once a month over a six-month period. Patients randomized to EASP will receive a phone call if their bowel function by the clinical office nurse if the study personnel determine that the patient's BFI, as reported on the monthly survey, is less than 53 (lowest quartile scores). Interventions that may occur include dietary and/or medication advice at the discretion of the office staff.; Behavioral: surveys; IVRS: An interactive voice response system (IVRS) is an automated telephone platform. The IVRS system will allow the participant to complete the survey when they receive the call and/or to call the system within the survey window to complete the survey. In each group, administration of a survey including the BFI, PRO-CTCAE sexual function items, and QOL LASA and in each group, the survey will be conducted once a month over a six-month period. This group will not get a phone call.
IVRS ( interactive voice response system) No EASP; Telephone Group without nurse intervention	Behavioral: surveys; IVRS: An interactive voice response system (IVRS) is an automated telephone platform. The IVRS system will allow the participant to complete the survey when they receive the call and/or to call the system within the survey window to complete the survey. In each group, administration of a survey including the BFI, PRO-CTCAE sexual function items, and QOL LASA and in each group, the survey will be conducted once a month over a six-month period. The intervention will be an email alert to study personnel (EASP). Patients randomized to EASP will receive a phone call if their bowel function by the clinical office nurse if the study personnel determine that the patient's BFI, as reported on the monthly survey, is less than 53 (lowest quartile scores). Interventions that may occur include dietary and/or medication advice at the discretion of the office staff.; Behavioral: surveys; Web: Study participants will be sent an email containing a link to the web survey. The participants will click on the link and complete the survey. Study participants may also login to the web survey independent of the link received via email. In each group, administration of a survey including the BFI, PRO-CTCAE sexual function items, and QOL LASA and in each group, the survey will be conducted once a month over a six-month period. Patients randomized to EASP will receive a phone call if their bowel function by the clinical office nurse if the study personnel determine that the patient's BFI, as reported on the monthly survey, is less than 53 (lowest quartile scores). Interventions that may occur include dietary and/or medication advice at the discretion of the office staff.; Behavioral: surveys; IVRS: An interactive voice response system (IVRS) is an automated telephone platform. The IVRS system will allow the participant to complete the survey when they receive the call and/or to call the system within the survey window to complete the survey. In each group, administration of a survey including the BFI, PRO-CTCAE sexual function items, and QOL LASA and in each group, the survey will be conducted once a month over a six-month period. This group will not get a phone call.
Web No EASP; Web Group without nurse intervention	Behavioral: Surveys; Web: Study participants will be sent an email containing a link to the web survey. The participants will click on the link and complete the survey. Study participants may also login to the web survey independent of the link received via email. In each group, administration of a survey including the BFI, PRO-CTCAE sexual function items, and QOL LASA and in each group, the survey will be conducted once a month over a six-month period. This group will not receive a phone call.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
clinically useful to collect patient-reported data	using electronic methods (interactive voice response system (IVRS) or web interface)	6 months
feasibility of electronic PRO assessment	we define feasibility as being the completion of 4/6 surveys. A complete survey is defined as having responses to 17/24 items (70%) on the survey. The administration mode will be deemed feasible if >=70% of patients complete 4/6 surveys.	2 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
psychometric equivalence	Relevant in colorectal cancer trials via three different modes of administration: Web, IVRS, paper. The primary interest is the psychometric properties of the total score and subscale scores of the BFI, however individual items scores will be examined as well.	2 years
problems people experience	With bowel function, bladder function, and sexual function over the course of treatment for rectal cancer and to identify the types of information that would be helpful to future patients. Patients who were enrolled in Aim 1 will be asked to participate in a 30-45 minute telephone interview. A total of 20 interviews will be conducted.	2 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Julio Garcia-Aguilar, MD, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 11, 2011
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 8, 2021
• Study Completion (Actual): September 8, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 18, 2011
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 21, 2011
• First Posted (Estimate): October 25, 2011

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 10, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 9, 2021
• Last Verified: September 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Quality of Life; patient outcomes; questionaires; 11-101
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Digestive System Diseases; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Digestive System Neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Colonic Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Intestinal Neoplasms; Rectal Diseases; Colorectal Neoplasms; Rectal Neoplasms; Colonic Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: 11-101