Central OC Times

A University of California, Irvine research team has developed and implemented an intervention to enhance cancer care support services for racial and ethnic minority patients undergoing chemotherapy. The electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) tool is a web-based application that allows individuals to enter their health data into a smartphone, tablet, or computer. In this study, the ePRO was available in multiple languages and coupled with digital analytics. At each treatment visit, participants digitally recorded and submitted their symptoms and side effects, enabling oncology pharmacists to conduct real-time assessments and proactively intervene.

Published online today in the journal JCO Oncology Practice, UC Irvine’s ePRO trial was conducted between July 2021 and June 2023, focusing on newly diagnosed adult cancer patients receiving intravenous anticancer therapies. Researchers found that Hispanic and Asian participants reported higher levels of pain, nausea, and vomiting compared to non-Hispanic white patients and were also more frequent visitors to urgent care centers for their symptoms.

“Racial and ethnic disparities significantly affect symptom burden and severity, but early recognition of health issues is often hindered by patients’ limited health literacy or poor communication due to language barriers,” said Alexandre Chan, corresponding author and UC Irvine chair and professor of clinical pharmacy practice. “To address these challenges, it’s crucial to develop innovative solutions that enhance treatment strategies tailored to each person’s specific needs. By leveraging technology and the specialized knowledge of oncology pharmacists, we can help create a more equitable healthcare system.”

The study was led by oncology pharmacists at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center in Orange. A total of 250 people were enrolled: 42.4 percent non-Hispanic white, 30.8 percent Hispanic, and 20.4 percent non-Hispanic Asian. They reported symptoms at each visit, with nausea and vomiting being the most common complaints followed by pain and fatigue. Results were reviewed by oncology pharmacists who provided personalized treatment and counseling; 90 percent of the patients expressed satisfaction across all visits.

“Past studies have utilized ePRO for symptom management in cancer patients, but they were primarily implemented in mostly non-Hispanic white populations and seldom involved pharmacists,” Chan said. “By reducing language barriers, using real-time analytics, and allowing pharmacists to provide timely personalized symptom management, our approach shows the potential to facilitate patient-centered care for accurate interventions that minimize adverse effects while improving health outcomes.”

Other team members included research specialists and graduate students from the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice as well as pharmacists at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

This work was supported by research funding from the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association.

Chan has consulting or advisory roles at Blueprint Medicines, Lilly, and Hengrui Medicine.

UC Irvine’s Brilliant Future campaign: Publicly launched on Oct. 4, 2019, aims to raise awareness about UC Irvine's mission through engaging alumni support totaling $2 billion in philanthropic investment toward student success initiatives among other goals.

About the University of California: Founded in 1965 as part of AAU membership producing five Nobel laureates known for academic excellence contributing significantly both locally ($7 billion annually) & statewide ($8 billion).

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