Impact of telephone monitoring on cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy and gastrectomy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate telephone monitoring for symptoms, quality of life, distress, admissions to the emergency center and the satisfaction of cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy and gastrectomy. Method: Randomized controlled study in two groups, carried out at the Cancer Institute of the State of Sao Paulo; the intervention group received telephone monitoring for four moments after the surgery, while the control group received only institutional care. Results: Of the 81 patients evaluated, the domain most affected by quality of life was social relationships domain. Distress had no significant difference between groups and moments. In both groups, admissions to the emergency center were similar (p=0.539). Pain was the most reported symptom in telephone monitoring. There was statistical significance regarding patient satisfaction with monitoring (p=0.002). Conclusion: Telephone monitoring provided greater patient satisfaction in the intervention group, demonstrating the real impact of this process on the care of cancer patients.