Enhancing Cancer Care: Patient Navigation Through EORTC Quality-of-Life Insights at Sohag Oncology Center

This study investigates the use of the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire to assess supportive care needs among cancer patients and align patient-identified needs with physician-assessed needs. The aim is to enhance care delivery and referral to supportive clinics, including pain management, physiotherapy, nutrition, and psychotherapy. Improved cancer care requires appropriate utilization of supportive clinics, particularly for patients with advanced or terminal disease. The study evaluated a navigation process for patients requiring supportive care services based on responses to the EORTC Quality of Life questionnaire, conducted as part of the "Evidence-Based Patient Navigation" initiative. The questionnaire assessed multiple domains relevant to supportive care needs. Approval to use the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire was obtained from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer before study initiation. The study process included both the EORTC Quality of Life questionnaire, representing patient-identified needs, and physician-assessed needs across four supportive clinics: pain management, physiotherapy, nutrition, and psychotherapy. Clinic navigation was determined by a threshold score ranging from 0 to 4. Patients requiring specialized support were defined as having a score greater than 2, whereas patients with scores of 2 or lower were classified as not requiring specialized supportive clinic referral. The data collection phase ran from January 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024, followed by data analysis. A consistency analysis was conducted to measure alignment between patient-identified needs and physician-assessed needs.