Claire Foster is Professor of Psychosocial Oncology and Director of the Macmillan Survivorship Research Group in the School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK. Her research programme focuses on advancing understanding of the health outcomes and experiences of people diagnosed with cancer and self-management support.

This includes large prospective UK wide cohort studies including collection of clinical and patient reported questionnaires to understand the consequences of cancer from diagnosis and over time, how this can impact on people’s daily lives, and identifying areas for intervention [e.g. CREW 1,000 and HORIZONS 3,000 cohorts]. Claire’s research team has developed and tested web-based resources to support self-management of fatigue following cancer treatment [RESTORE www.macmillanrestore.org.uk] and decision aids to support younger women with breast cancer facing decisions about surgery and genetic testing [Breast Cancer Choices].

Projects are underway to develop web-based resources to support people making complex decisions when living with Motor Neurone Disease (DiAMoND, PI Wheelwright) and increased risk of cancer due to genetic susceptibility (CRUK Catalyst Award, CI Turnbull).

The research team is leading the evaluation of NHS England and Health Education England practice-based transformation projects to improve access to nursing and self-management support from the point of cancer diagnosis and following treatment. Research funding has been awarded from a range of sources including Macmillan Cancer Support, Movember Foundation, National Institute for Health Research, Breast Cancer Now, Prostate Cancer UK, Cancer Research UK, Health Foundation, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, Marie Curie and MND Association, Dimbleby Cancer Care, Research UK.

Claire is a member of Bowel Cancer UK’s Scientific Advisory Board, National Cancer Research Institute Methodology Workstream and a member of British Psychosocial Oncology Society Executive.

 

ABSTRACT

Title: Why do patient reported outcomes matter in cancer care?

Summary: This talk will introduce psychosocial aspects of cancer and survivorship and consider why patient reported outcomes and experiences are essential for improving cancer care. Carefully collecting information from representative groups of patients from the point of diagnosis, during treatment and in the years beyond can identify who is most likely to need support and when, how we identify people most at risk of experiencing difficulties and how we can support them to live with and manage the impact of their cancer and its treatment in their daily lives. Examples from the Macmillan Survivorship Research Group will be drawn on to illustrate why patient reported outcomes matter and how data can be used to improve care.