RESPONd: remote symptom monitoring and management for cancer patients between ambulatory visits
Implementing REmote SymPtom mOnitoring and maNagement (RESPONd): Evaluating the Impact on Cancer Patients, System Efficiency, and Economic Outcomes
This project will test whether electronic symptom questionnaires plus nurse follow-up helps cancer patients manage symptoms between clinic visits and improves clinic efficiency.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 1055 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Calgary Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Calgary, Alberta and 3 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07024329 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
RESPONd implements digitally enabled remote symptom monitoring across six tertiary, regional, and community cancer clinics using a stepped-wedge rollout over 1.5 years. Enrolled adults complete electronic patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires at home (weekly on active treatment or monthly on follow-up), and study nurses monitor responses and contact patients to provide tailored support. Collected PRO data are used in weekly clinic triage huddles to guide care and improve coordination. The study measures patient outcomes, healthcare use (including emergency visits), and clinic workflow efficiencies while collecting participant experience feedback.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults with cancer receiving care at one of the participating Alberta clinics who can register for MyAHS Connect, have regular phone access, an internet-capable device, and can complete electronic PROs in English without clinic support.
Not a fit: Patients who live outside Alberta, lack regular phone or internet/device access, have cognitive impairment preventing reliable self-reporting, or cannot use MyAHS Connect or English are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, RESPONd could reduce emergency visits and improve quality of life by identifying and managing symptoms earlier.
How similar studies have performed: Previous oncology studies of routine electronic PRO monitoring have shown reductions in emergency visits and improvements in quality of life and survival, though real-world implementation across diverse clinics has been less widely tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 * Have cancer * Receiving care in one of the participating clinics. * Able to sign up for MyAHS Connect and consent. * Have access to a digital device at home * Able to complete their electronic PROs questionnaire without support from the clinic team on a weekly (patients on active treatment) or monthly (patients on follow-up) basis, for the duration of the intervention or until they are discharged from the clinic. * Regular access to a telephone in order for the study nurse to call patients to provide symptom management support. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with cognitive disabilities or who cannot reliably report symptoms independently. * Patients not residing in Alberta, as government-issued ID is required to register for MyAHS Connect. * Patients who do not have regular access to a telephone, as the study nurse needs to be able to call patients to provide symptom management support. * Patients who do not speak English, or who do not have an English-speaking friend, family member, or caregiver to assist them, as the electronic PROs questionnaire is only available in English at this time.
Where this trial is running
Calgary, Alberta and 3 other locations
- Arthur J. E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Recruiting)
- Cross Cancer Institute — Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Recruiting)
- High River Community Cancer Centre — High River, Alberta, Canada (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Central Alberta Cancer Centre — Red Deer, Alberta, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Linda Watson, RN, PhD — Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services
- Study coordinator: Chizoba Anyimukwu, MPH, DrPH
- Email: chizoba.anyimukwu@albertahealthservices.ca
- Phone: 587-943-3556
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.