Real-time clinical application of quality-of-life assessment in advanced lung cancer

In the management of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), quality of life (QOL) is a very important consideration when determining therapy. However, clinicians and patients generally make their treatment decisions based upon informal appraisal of QOL rather than formal assessment. Previously, we showed that Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L) data were highly prognostic of survival in advanced NSCLC, suggesting the potential value of FACT-L scores for treatment decision making. A key barrier is the impracticality and burden of real-time administration and scoring of paper forms in the clinic. Hand-held and touch screen computer administration and scoring can address that barrier. This pilot study assessed the feasibility of using computer technology to aid in the collection and interpretation of QOL and selected clinical data in real time, reducing human effort. The technology was found to be acceptable to patients and staff and feasible within the clinical setting. Integrating formal QOL assessment into treatment decision making in a clinical oncology setting requires further evaluation.