The DISCO App: A pilot test of an electronic patient intervention to reduce the financial burden of cancer through improved cost communication.

• DOI: 10.1200/jco.2020.38.29_suppl.1
• Publication Date: 2020-10-08T13:35:56Z
• Authors: Lauren M. Hamel; David W. Dougherty; Theresa A. Hastert; Erlene Kuizon Sey...; Seongho Kim; Hadeel Assad; Jasminder Phalore; Susan Eggly
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 3. Good health

1 Background: Financial toxicity, the burden of treatment cost, affects 30-50% people with cancer in US. Although experts recommend patients and oncologists discuss cost to identify who need assistance, discussions occur fewer than half discussions. We pilot-tested feasibility efficacy Discussions Cost (DISCO) App, a patient communication intervention designed improve other financial toxicity-related outcomes during following oncology consultations. The DISCO App provides an individualized list cost-related questions can ask their oncologist, specific patient’s economic situation. Methods: While waiting see newly diagnosed breast or lung (n=32) used on iPad. Clinic visits were videorecorded completed pre- post-intervention measures self-efficacy for managing costs, interacting oncologists, distress, perceptions App. A trained coder observed recordings determine presence discussion, topic, any emergent factors. Results: Findings showed increases patients’ costs (p=.02) (p=.001). Cost-related distress decreased but not significantly (p=.20). Patients reported was understandable (M=4.5 out 5), useful as they talked oncologist (M=4.0), 84% needing less 15 minutes use Most (94%) interactions (in two cases technical difficulties prevented videos from being collected); all (100%) included discussion. most frequently discussed topics were: insurance, time off work, navigation. Frequently, asked his/her question discussed/answered questions. Conclusions: suggest is feasible implement clinic effective improving patient-oncologist outcomes. Patient acceptance engagement suggested prompted Next steps include conducting longitudinal randomized controlled trial effectiveness Clinical information: NCT03676920 .