The Effect of Telephone Symptom Triage Protocols in Patients With Cancer Therapy (TeleTRIAGE)
Condition: Cancer; Self Efficacy
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of telephone symptom triage protocols on
      symptom management, quality of life and self-maintenance in patients with cancer who applied
      systemic treatment. The study is a randomized controlled experimental study. Pan-Canadian
      Oncology Symptom Triage and Remote Support (COSTaRS) guides were translated into Turkish and
      expert opinions were obtained. The sample of the study included 70 cancer (35 interventions
      and 35 controls) patients who were treated with chemotherapy were randomized into the
      computer program.

      According to the interference protocol of the study: Preliminary interviews were conducted
      with the newly diagnosed patients in the control and intervention groups. Preliminary tests
      (Personal Information Form, Chemotherapy Symptom Assessment Scale, Functional Assessment of
      Cancer Therapy Form-General - FACT-G (Version 4) Quality of Life Scale and Self-Care Power
      Scale) were performed after obtaining consent. After the pre-tests, the patients who were
      included in the intervention group were given the symptom triage protocol usage guide created
      according to the symptom triage protocol. The patients were informed by the researcher about
      the content and use of the guideline. The patients included in the intervention group were
      searched by the researcher on the 3rd, 7th and 10th days after each chemotherapy for 3 cycles
      of chemotherapy. During the three-month follow-ups, patients were able to call the
      investigator 7/24 to request symptom triage. In accordance with the Remote Symptom Management
      Guidelines for Adults Treated with Cancer, patient triage was performed for symptom
      management and patients were referred to the appropriate sources according to the severity of
      the symptom. The patients in the control group did not undergo any intervention other than
      routine hospital follow-up. Patients who were included in the control and intervention groups
      were subjected to final tests at the hospital after 3 months.
    

Detailed description: 
      The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of telephone symptom triage protocols on
      symptom management, quality of life and self-maintenance in patients with cancer who applied
      systemic treatment. The study is a randomized controlled experimental study.

      Before starting the research, permissions were taken. Pan-Canadian Oncology Symptom Triage
      and Remote Support (COSTaRS) guides were translated into Turkish and expert opinions were
      obtained.

      The sample of the study included cancer patients who were treated with chemotherapy in the
      Akdeniz University Hospital Day Chemotherapy Unit. The study included 80% power, 95%
      reliability and 0.05 error margins, and 70 patients (35 interventions and 35 controls) were
      randomized into the computer program.

      According to the interference protocol of the study:

        -  Four patients who received systemic chemotherapy were tested with pilot study.

        -  Patients were included in the study according to the inclusion criteria and
           randomization list.

        -  Preliminary interviews were conducted with the newly diagnosed patients in the control
           and intervention groups. Preliminary tests were performed after obtaining consent. For
           this purpose, Personal Information Form, Chemotherapy Symptom Assessment Scale,
           Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Form-General - FACT-G (Version 4) Quality of
           Life Scale and Self-Care Power Scale were applied.

        -  After the pre-tests, the patients who were included in the intervention group were given
           the symptom triage protocol usage guide created according to the symptom triage
           protocol. The patients were informed by the researcher about the content and use of the
           guideline. Information about the contents of the guide was made between 10:00-14:00
           hours during working hours during the week and it took an average of 15-20 minutes.

        -  The patients included in the intervention group were searched by the researcher on the
           3rd, 7th and 10th days after each chemotherapy for 3 cycles of chemotherapy.

        -  During the three-month follow-ups, patients were able to call the investigator 7/24 to
           request symptom triage.

        -  In accordance with the Remote Symptom Management Guidelines for Adults Treated with
           Cancer, patient triage was performed for symptom management and patients were referred
           to the appropriate sources according to the severity of the symptom.

        -  In case of urgent necessity, patients were referred from the second consultant who were
           from Medical Oncology Department.

        -  The frequency of calls for the symptom triage protocol application of the intervention
           group was monitored and the information was recorded in the intervention group telephone
           interview form.

        -  The patients in the control group did not undergo any intervention other than routine
           hospital follow-up.

        -  Patients who were included in the control and intervention groups were subjected to
           final tests at the hospital after 3 months.
    

Intervention name(s): The Effect of Telephone Symptom Triage Protocols on Symptom Management, Quality of Life and Self-Care Maintenance in Patients with Cancer Who Applied Systemic Treatment
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Symptom management, quality of life and self-maintenance were assessed by scales at the first interview and 3 months later.
Intervention group received symptom triage application with telephone, which consisted of guiding in line with symptom triage protocols. The patients who were included in the intervention were followed up by telephone on the 3rd, 7th and 10th day of after chemotherapy total of nine times during three chemotherapy cycles.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: Patients with cancer; Symptom triage; Self care; Symptom management; Quality of life