KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The study aimed to evaluate the implementation impact and quality of the REACH model in cancer rehabilitation.
- The results showed that evaluating the REACH model helps identify barriers and improve cancer rehabilitation services.
An electronic prospective surveillance model (ePSM) leverages patient-reported outcomes to monitor impairments along the cancer pathway for timely management.
Christian Lopez and the team aimed to implement the REACH model, as randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of ePSMs in managing cancer-related impairments. However, ePSMs are not routinely integrated into practice, and evidence-based approaches for their implementation are limited.
The study will conduct a 16-month formative evaluation using a single-arm mixed methods design to monitor key implementation outcomes, identify barriers, and adapt the implementation plan as necessary. Adult cancer survivors (≥18 years) diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lymphoma, or head and neck cancer will be eligible to register for REACH.
Enrolled patients will complete brief assessments of impairments throughout their treatment and up to 2 years post-treatment, receiving personalized resources for self-management and referrals to rehabilitation services as needed. A multifaceted implementation plan will be used to integrate REACH into each clinical context.
The study will assess various implementation outcomes, including reach, acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, fidelity, cost, and sustainability. Quantitative data will be collected via system usage metrics and evaluation surveys completed by patient participants, while qualitative data will be gathered through focus groups and interviews with clinical leadership, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.
The site-specific ethics approvals were obtained, and the implementation of the REACH model will be routinely monitored. The study will generate quantitative implementation data and qualitative insights to understand barriers to the model’s integration.
This work was supported by funding from the Canadian Cancer Society and Canadian Institutes of Health Research Cancer Survivorship Team Grant (Grant Number: 706699 (CCS), 02022–000 (CIHR)).
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39306347/
Lopez C, Neil-Sztramko SE, Campbell KL, et al. (2024). “Implementation of an electronic prospective surveillance model for cancer rehabilitation: a mixed methods study protocol.” BMJ Open. 2024;14(9):e090449. Published 2024 Sep 20. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-090449
