Proposed Implementation of a Patient-Centered Self-Assessment Tool for Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors among Academic and Community Practice Sites: The City of Hope Model

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors are a rare type of cancer found in hormone-producing cells throughout the body. Research on disease-specific patient education assessments in this population is lacking. We previously demonstrated the feasibility and validity of NET VITALS, a patient-centered self-assessment designed to improve patients’ knowledge of their neuroendocrine tumor diagnosis/treatment and facilitate communication with their physician. In this report, we provide a brief overview of patient assessments that have been used for patients with neuroendocrine tumors. We summarize NET VITALS and present a proposed infrastructure for its implementation into standard clinical care in both academic and community practice settings at City of Hope. Incorporating NET VITALS into standard of care treatment for patients with neuroendocrine tumors may improve patients’ overall clinical care experience.