| Sumario: | Purpose/Objectives: The Quality, Measurement and Evaluation team in partnership with the Symptom Management Program is finalizing the first iteration of a recurring report of symptom management in adult patients with cancer, for the Regional Cancer Programs (RCPs). This report will contain an array of metrics related to effects or responses to patients' symptoms, as collected directly from patients via the provincial oncology symptom screening tool "Your Symptoms Matter (YSM)". It is intended to provide RCPs with a comprehensive, quantifiable overview of how patients' symptoms are managed at individual sites and across the province, which may inform resource allocation, referral patterns to psychosocial oncology services, and targeted quality improvement initiatives. Methods: Preliminary analyses were restricted to YSM -- General Symptoms symptom screening assessments (ESAS-r and ESAS-r+ questionnaires) completed from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2022 by adult patients with cancer in the 60 days prior and up to 12 months after their most recent diagnosis date. Response post-screen at sites administering YSM -- General Symptoms was explored across different symptom severities through emergency department (ED) utilization, psychosocial oncology visits within a designated timeframe, and patient-reported support (through the Your Voice Matters experience survey) with physical and emotional symptoms. Results: ED utilization within 7- or 14-days post-screen increased with symptom severity. Screens reporting more severe symptoms were more likely to visit a dietician or mental health provider, but the wait time varied across facilities. Patient satisfaction on engagement regarding their physical and emotional symptoms largely decreased as symptom severity increased and varied across sites. Conclusions: Symptom management responses and practices appeared to vary significantly by site and RCP. This apparent variability highlights the utility of these metrics to monitor the effects.
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