Evidence based change to practice: improving prostate cancer patient follow-up pathways by introducing patient reported outcome measures

Chmylowskyj, Charlotte (2024) Evidence based change to practice: improving prostate cancer patient follow-up pathways by introducing patient reported outcome measures. Masters dissertation, University of Cumbria. Item availability may be restricted.

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Abstract

There have been substantial improvements in prostate cancer treatment over the last twenty years, with more than three-quarters of men surviving over ten years (NICE, 2019a). The provision of follow-up care for these men has been unsatisfactory, prompting charities such as Prostate Cancer UK to design improved pathways. Key features include online collection of bladder and bowel symptoms and quality of life indicators to alert the clinical team to those patients with unmet needs. The literature review concluded that patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are effective in improving communication between patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals; reduce clinical contact time and financial burden; can improve engagement within rural communities without discriminating by age and technical ability; whilst maintaining quality of care and satisfaction. Consequently the aim of this evidence-based proposal for changing practice was to improve the current follow-up pathway by implementing PROMs. Quality improvement in healthcare requires effective change management strategies to ensure success. Several change models were evaluated, and Kotter’s (1996) eight steps was selected on the basis of offering a simple framework for planning change. Potential barriers to the success of this change were identified as; local financial, infrastructure and systems challenges; change resistance from IT and administration staff due to increased workload; and training requirements for key change personnel. Evaluation is an essential and on-going part of any quality improvement project. Due to the complexity of introducing PROMs, a comprehensive plan for data collection and analysis would be required. Following the Plan-Do-Study-Act improvement cycle, the proposed change would be continuously evaluated using a combination of outcome, process, balancing, and implementation measures. This will provide evidence that an improvement has taken place. The process worked through has helped develop the proposed change and maximised it’s potential for success.

Item Type:	Thesis/Dissertation (Masters)
Departments:	Institute of Health > Continuing Development and Health Leadership
Additional Information:	Dissertation submitted in part fulfilment for the MSc in Practice Development, University of Cumbria, word count 12,137.
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	03 Dec 2024 10:58
Last Modified:	12 Dec 2024 11:09
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/8523