Promoting patient reporting of outcome measures through technology integrated self-management and engagement (PROMISE)

The National Cancer Institute awarded Michigan State University (Henry Ford Health+Michigan State University Health Sciences) $185,881 on September 1, 2026, under the Cancer Research Manpower program (CFDA 93.398) to conduct a pilot trial testing digital strategies to increase patient-reported outcome (PRO) assessment completion among cancer patients.

The funded research, titled "Promoting Patient Reporting of Outcome Measures Through Technology Integrated Self-Management and Engagement (PROMISE)," addresses low completion rates for PRO assessments in clinical oncology settings. The study will randomize 78 patients undergoing systemic therapy for head and neck or lung cancer into control and intervention arms. Control participants will complete existing PROMIS assessments (pain interference, physical function, fatigue, depression) integrated within Epic electronic health records and receive a thank you message. Intervention participants will complete the same PROMIS assessments plus nine patient-reported outcome Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) symptom items most prevalent in cancer therapy, along with evidence-based self-management strategies delivered through a Computerized Intervention Authoring System integrated within Epic. The central hypothesis is that adding cancer-specific symptom tracking and self-management guidance will improve PRO assessment completion rates.

Performance will occur at Michigan State University's East Lansing, Michigan location from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2031. The award supports training and research activities aligned with the National Cancer Program's priorities.

Abstract

Patient reported outcome (pro) measures are validated tools that capture health-related perspectives directly from the patient and are complementary to provider assessment. Henry ford health has implemented assessments of the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) scales for pain interference, physical function, fatigue, and depression integrated within the epic electronic health records. Timely completion of pro assessments and symptoms management of moderate or severe symptoms are essential to improve quality of life and decrease unwanted health care utilization. However, only ~40% of patients complete pros assessment in clinical settings. Systemic therapy for cancer results in many symptoms (e.g., dry mouth, shortness of breath, constipation) not covered by the disease-general PROMIS measures. Moreover, our preliminary data has shown that patients lose motivation to complete pros when no feedback is provided. The proposed pilot trial will test an innovative digital approach to increasing pro assessments completion among patients (N=78) undergoing systemic therapy for head and neck or lung cancer. Patients randomized to the control arm will receive the existing PROMIS assessments and a thank you message upon completion. Patients randomized to the intervention arm will receive the PROMIS assessments in addition to nine patient- reported outcome common terminology criteria for adverse events (pro-CTCAE) most prevalent symptoms, and evidence-based self-management strategies for those with elevated symptoms through a digital platform- computerized intervention authoring system (CIAS)-integrated within the epic electronic health records. Our central hypothesis is that the addition of the proc-CTCAE and evidence-based self-management strategies will improve patients' completion of pro assessments. The study is structured around three aims: aim 1: we will determine if the intervention's enhanced pro monitoring strategy increases pro assessment completion (measured by the number and percentage of completed PROMIS assessments) over six months. Aim 2: we will assess whether any differences in pro assessment completion between the intervention and control arms at month six are explained by patients' symptom management self-efficacy and expectancy (expectations held by a patient about their own emotional and physiological response to a therapy prior to use). Aim 3: we will evaluate whether differences in pro assessment completion at month six differ according to patient characteristics, such as sociodemographic, disease and treatment characteristics (e.g., age, stage). In the long term, the project has the potential to influence cancer care practices on a larger scale, shaping policies and clinical practices to improve health outcomes for cancer patients and reducing the burden of cancer-related symptoms.