The Christie Charity
News story published 20 September 2024
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is celebrating the fifth year of its electronic patient-recorded outcome measures (ePROMs) service, MyChristie-MyHealth. ePROMs are online questionnaires that patients fill in to report their symptoms, side effects and quality of life.
Over 20,000 patients, across 30 different services, have filled in over 60,000 ePROMs since 2019.
The Christie is the first centre in the UK to routinely introduce cancer symptom management questionnaires on such a large scale. A large portion of the funding came from donations to The Christie Charity.
The service was also awarded the Greater Manchester Cancer Innovation Award in 2022.
Why are ePROMs important in cancer care?
Patients with cancer often have symptoms relating to their illness or treatment. Typically, patients discuss these symptoms with their clinical team during outpatient or telephone appointments. However, studies have shown that clinicians tend to underestimate patients’ symptoms, and that patients are more likely to report symptoms earlier when using the questionnaire.
Furthermore, other research has shown that patients monitored with ePROMs tolerate treatment better and live well for longer.
How ePROMs work
Patients fill in their ePROMs a few days before their appointment, and at other times during their care. Questions are tailored to each disease group and treatment. They cover a broad range of topics such as symptoms and side effects, quality of life and mental health.
Patients then receive automated advice based on the severity of their symptoms, ranging from simple reassurance to the recommendation to seek urgent medical attention.
Doctors and nurses review ePROMs responses before a consultation, leading to more efficient use of appointment time and more personalised care. This approach also helps patients feel more supported and actively involved in their care.
What patients say
Liz Bates is a 2-time cancer survivor from St. Helens. She’s been married to Terry for 42 years and they have 2 children and 4 grandchildren.
She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2022 – her second cancer after having leukaemia back in 2006. She was treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy as well as a new targeted therapy called abemaciclib.
“I wish I’d had something like this with my first cancer,” says Liz. “It allowed me to really think about how I was feeling in a way I might not have without the form. Some people find it difficult to talk about side effects and this allows them to do this in their own words, and in their own time, ahead of their appointment. I think that’s invaluable.”
“In my case, I had a cough that went on for a few weeks, and because my doctors spotted that I’d mentioned it on the form quite a few times, they decided to look into it. Thankfully, it was asthma and not cancer related, but it made me feel like my team at The Christie had my back. Knowing that I was being so well cared for had a hugely positive impact on both my physical and mental health,” she adds.
To find out more about ePROMs, speak to your consultant or visit the MyChristie-MyHealth page of our website.