The evolution of the education module for men with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) in the Prostate Cancer Supportive Care program before and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Jennifer Rauw1, Sunil Parimi1, Sydney Sparanese2,3, Nikita Ivanov4, Corinne Maurice-Dror4, Eugenia Wu2, Monita Sundar2, Jennifer Goulart5, Celestia S. Higano2,3.
1Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC, Canada; 2Prostate Cancer Supportive Care Program, Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada; 3Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; 4Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada; 5Department of Radiation Oncology, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC, Canada
Introduction: The Prostate Cancer Supportive Care (PCSC) Program at the Vancouver Prostate Centre provides a comprehensive program including educational sessions (ES) regarding decision-making for primary therapy, sexual health, pelvic floor physiotherapy, hormone therapy, counselling, exercise, and nutrition. In 2016, the PCSC Program opened in BC Cancer Victoria and in 2018 medical oncologists (MDs) there developed two ES addressing treatment options for metastatic hormone-sensitive (mHSPC) and metastatic castration-resistant (mCRPC) disease. Initially, MDs delivered in-person ES in Victoria. In 2019, it was also offered virtually. From March 5, 2020, the ES were on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic and parental leaves. In June 2020, the ES resumed virtually, delivered by the PCSC oncology nurse practitioner (NP). In response to a changing standard of care for mHSPC, the two ES were consolidated in October 2020. We report on the evolution of the metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) ES in response to these circumstances.
Methods: We prospectively collected attendance and patient characteristic metrics from all ES for men with mPCa. We prospectively collected anonymous patient satisfaction questionnaires.
Results: From January 2018 to November 2021, 121 men registered for 31 ES; 91 men, 49 partners, and three family members actually attended (Table 1). Sixty-four of 91 (70.3%) men were white, 44/91 (48%) retired, and 68/91 (74.7%) married. We held 12 mHSPC, seven mCRPC, and 12 mPCa ES. MDs presented 18 and NP 13 ES. Responses to questions on 79 satisfaction surveys were similar for MD vs. NP presenters. Seventeen of 18 responders to the mode of delivery questions said they agreed (8) or strongly agreed (9) that it was beneficial to watch the ES V on a home computer.
Conclusions: The consolidated mPCa ES was well-received, as was the virtual format. Patient satisfaction with ES was the same for MD and NP presenters. Consolidation of mHSPC and mCRPC content decreased the number of ES/month. Virtual delivery provided greater access to those living in distant areas of the province, as well as those in isolation due to COVID-19.
