SMSpro pilot study

This project trialed using online questionnaires to improve communications between health services staff and community-based cancer patients living in the Grampians

Traditionally, cancer patients are instructed by their care team to contact them if they happen to experience health problems when they leave the hospital. Unfortunately, however, patients often don’t make this call when they should, at times leading to poorer patient outcomes.

Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) are an arising innovative communication method of capturing a person’s perception of their own health through questionnaires. PROs proactively encourage patients to report on any symptoms and other aspects of their health and well-being, allowing health professionals improved opportunity to intervene in a timely manner providing improved support and reducing chances of patient deterioration.

In this pilot, custom designed automated questionnaires will be sent to patients, seeking information on the impact’s cancer treatment is having on them, thus assisting clinicians to efficiently prioritise any required interventions.

Project Progress

3 sites across the Grampians were involved in the SMSpro pilot project:

• Patients of Breast Cancer Specialists Nurses GH – Ballarat
• Patient of Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses GH – Ballarat
• Patients of Wimmera Day Oncology Centre

As of June 2024, the pilot project has come to an end with the final report currently being compiled. It is anticipated the final report will be available by end of July 2024.