National implementation of electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) for remote symptom monitoring in oncology: The OncoPRO initiative.

Abstract

1571 Background: Remote symptom monitoring with electronic patient-reported outcomes (PROs) during cancer care improves quality of life, reduces acute care events, lengthens time on treatment, and can improve survival. US oncology practices are increasingly implementing PROs, but barriers to implementation remain. To facilitate uptake of PROs, the OncoPRO Initiative was established as a national PRO learning collaborative with funding from PCORI, in partnership with ASCO, the American Cancer Society, the PROTEUS Consortium, federal agencies, practice networks, and the major EHR and PRO software vendors. Oncology practices/health systems may join OncoPRO at no cost if they are committed to implementing PROs and can submit implementation metrics for monitoring progress. Practices are sorted into “affinity groups” by EHR and PRO software systems. Affinity groups meet monthly, led by coaches from the ASCO, PRO experts, and representatives of respective technology companies. Affinity groups follow a curriculum of key topics in PRO implementation, exchange training materials and information about facilitators and experiences, and provide feedback to software vendors. Little is known on how such learning collaboratives can support PRO growth. Methods: Implementation measures and characteristics were identified to quantify progress including the total number of practices joining, the phase of these practices (early implementation, scale-up, maintenance), topic areas for support requested by practices, number of personnel trained for PRO at practices, number of patients enrolled in PRO at practices, and proportion of enrolled patients completing PRO surveys. Data were collected via direct EHR data transfers and surveys. Results: Since 3/1/2024, 23 community and academic oncology practices/health systems have joined OncoPRO, across 23 different states, among which 13 practices were in early implementation, 7 in scale-up, and 5 in maintenance. These practices were sorted into four monthly affinity groups, in which the most commonly requested topics were: personnel roles/responsibilities; workflow; patient/clinician engagement; key performance metrics; technology customization; integration with quality programs; symptom management pathways; and billing/coding. Practice participation in monthly meetings has been 100%. Data are available from 12 initial practices, which collectively enrolled 47,052 patients over their initial 15 months of the program, with 24,566 patients (52%) completing at least one PRO survey. Conclusions: The OncoPRO learning collaborative is successfully supporting practices across the US to implement PROs, with strong practice engagement and high patient participation.