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The impact of medical visits for chemotherapy-induced anemia and neutropenia on the patient and caregiver: a national survey
Accelerated Community Oncology Research Network and The West Clinic, Memphis, TN
Cancer patients are required to make numerous visits to the clinic for cancer treatment and supportive care, including visits for the management of chemotherapy-induced anemia and neutropenia. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of medical visits, specifically visits for the management of chemotherapy-induced anemia and neutropenia, on cancer patients and their caregivers. A semistructured interview was administered by a study nurse to patients from outpatient oncology clinics across the continental US to obtain retrospective data pertaining to the impact of medical visits on patients and caregivers. Data from 15,785 adult cancer patients receiving care at 649 clinics showed that medical visits affect significant patient and caregiver time. Patients reported an average clinic visit for erythropoietin treatment involved 2.2 ± 3.10 (SD) hours for themselves and 1.3 ± 2.51 hours for their caregivers. Patients reported an average clinic visit for neutropenia management involved 2 ± 2.59 hours for themselves and 1.15 ± 2.33 hours for their caregivers. The data are important to developing models that explain and predict the implications of medical visits in overall patient care and quality of life. Moreover, future studies should explore in greater detail specific factors that may dictate patient burden and compare and contrast specific chemotherapy and supportive care regimens in terms of patient and caregiver burden.
| Commun Oncol 2004;1:211–217 | full text |  213 kb |