Improving Cancer Symptom Communication in Primary Care: Acceptability of a Symptom Report Form for Patients with Anxiety and/or Depression
1
PhD National Programme in One Health Approaches to Infectious Diseases and Life Science Research, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
2
Faculty of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
3
Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2992
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
People with anxiety and/or depression experiencing potential cancer symptoms may be at higher risk of delayed cancer diagnosis. A brief symptom report form was developed to improve symptom communication in primary care. The study evaluated its acceptability, benefits, limitations, and perceived impact from both patient and healthcare professional (HCPs) perspectives.
METHODS:
The form was co-developed with patients and healthcare professionals and assessed through vignette-based online surveys. UK participants aged 50 or older with self-reported anxiety and or depression, and healthcare professionals reviewing anonymized completed forms, provided ratings and open-text feedback on clarity, usefulness, and communication impact. Associations between participant characteristics and responses were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS:
A total of 174 patients and 187 HCPs completed the survey. Among HCPs, 86.6% reported that the form could enhance appointments, especially by promoting patient-centred care (33.3%) and supporting early detection and safety (22.5%). Nurses were more likely to believe the form would help them prepare better (OR=3.79; 95%CI: 1.69–8.48) and save time (OR=3.35; 95%CI: 1.47–7.61). Nearly all HCPs (92.5%) would recommend implementing the form in practice. Among patients, 64.9% believed the form would improve their appointment. The majority (69.0%) felt the form would make symptom communication easier. This was reported more frequently by patients with anxiety only compared to those with depression only (85.0% versus 60.6%, p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
A structured pre-consultation symptom report form appears acceptable and potentially beneficial for improving communication and consultation efficiency in patients with anxiety and or depression. Integration into routine practice may support earlier cancer detection, although evaluation in real-world clinical settings is needed.
People with anxiety and/or depression experiencing potential cancer symptoms may be at higher risk of delayed cancer diagnosis. A brief symptom report form was developed to improve symptom communication in primary care. The study evaluated its acceptability, benefits, limitations, and perceived impact from both patient and healthcare professional (HCPs) perspectives.
METHODS:
The form was co-developed with patients and healthcare professionals and assessed through vignette-based online surveys. UK participants aged 50 or older with self-reported anxiety and or depression, and healthcare professionals reviewing anonymized completed forms, provided ratings and open-text feedback on clarity, usefulness, and communication impact. Associations between participant characteristics and responses were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS:
A total of 174 patients and 187 HCPs completed the survey. Among HCPs, 86.6% reported that the form could enhance appointments, especially by promoting patient-centred care (33.3%) and supporting early detection and safety (22.5%). Nurses were more likely to believe the form would help them prepare better (OR=3.79; 95%CI: 1.69–8.48) and save time (OR=3.35; 95%CI: 1.47–7.61). Nearly all HCPs (92.5%) would recommend implementing the form in practice. Among patients, 64.9% believed the form would improve their appointment. The majority (69.0%) felt the form would make symptom communication easier. This was reported more frequently by patients with anxiety only compared to those with depression only (85.0% versus 60.6%, p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
A structured pre-consultation symptom report form appears acceptable and potentially beneficial for improving communication and consultation efficiency in patients with anxiety and or depression. Integration into routine practice may support earlier cancer detection, although evaluation in real-world clinical settings is needed.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
