Table 2

Schedule for outcome measurement

OutcomeMeasurementBaseline phaseIntervention phaseFollow-up phase
Day 28 of first line chemotherapyDay 42 of first line chemotherapyDay 28 of first line chemotherapyDay 42 of first line chemotherapy3, 6, 12, 24, 36 months afterAfter postmortem of the patient
Patient in baseline phasePatient’s communication behaviourRIAS
Patient’s medical and sociological backgroundCancer stage, diagnosis date, treatment status, treatment history, comorbidities, sex, age, work status, household income, household size, social support, marital status, educational experience, treatment and care preference at the end of life
Patient’s evaluation of consultation‘How did the oncologist respond to your questions?’ ‘Did you ask selected questions during consultation?’ ‘How much have you discussed with the oncologist in the visit?’
Patient in intervention and follow-up phasePatient’s communication behaviourRIAS
Patient’s psychological distressHADS
Patient’s physical and functional QoLFACT-Physical and Functional
Patient’s comprehensive QoLShort version of CoQoLo
Patient’s trust in oncologistTiOS
Patient’s satisfaction with oncologistCSQ
Patient’s acceptance in cancer experiencePEACE
Patient’s prognosis and treatment perceptionPTPQ
Patient’s evaluation of consultation‘How did the oncologist respond to your questions?’ ‘Did you ask selected questions during consultation?’ ‘How much have you discussed with the oncologist in the visit?’
Patient’s evaluation of intervention in the IG‘Did you understand how to use the QPL and did you actually use it?’ ‘Do you think you will continue the intervention?’ ‘Was the intervention useful to you?’ ‘Did the oncologist talk about the QPL?’ ‘Did the QPL help you ask the oncologist questions?’ ‘Is the QPL useful?’ ‘Did you read the QPL before the visit?’ ‘Do you think you will read the QPL in the future?’
Patient’s medical and sociological backgroundCancer stage, diagnosis date, treatment status, treatment history, comorbidities, sex, age, job status, household income, household size, social support, marital status, educational experience, treatment and care preference at the end of life
Patient’s medical utilisation at the end of lifeThe date of death, any chemotherapy agent given within 14 days of death, any new chemotherapeutic regimen started within 30 days of death, and involvement of hospice and palliative care services
Caregiver in baseline phaseCaregiver’s communication behaviourRIAS
Caregiver’s characteristicsSex, age, relationship with the patient, job status, household income, household size, social support, marital status, educational experience, and preferences on treatment and care for the patient at the end of life
Caregiver’s evaluation of consultation‘How did the oncologist respond to your questions?’ ‘Did you ask selected questions during consultation?’ ‘How much have you discussed with your oncologist in the visit?’
Caregiver in intervention and follow-up phaseCaregiver’s communication behaviourRIAS
Caregiver’s psychological distressK6
Caregiver’s QoLEQ-5D
Caregiver’s satisfaction with oncologistCSQ
Caregiver’s sociological backgroundSex, age, relationship with the patient, job status, household income, household size, social support, marital status, educational experience, and preferences on treatment and care for the patient at the end of life
Caregiver’s prognosis and treatment perceptionPTPQ
Caregiver’s evaluation of consultation‘How did the oncologist respond to your questions?’ ‘Did you ask selected questions during consultation?’ ‘How much have you discussed with the oncologist in the visit?’
Caregiver’s evaluation of intervention in the IG‘Did you understand how to use the QPL and did you actually use it?’ ‘Do you think you will continue the intervention?’ ‘Was the intervention useful to you?’ ‘Did the oncologist talk about the QPL?’ ‘Did the QPL help you ask the oncologist questions?’ ‘Is the QPL useful?’ ‘Did you read the QPL before the visit?’ ‘Do you think you will read the QPL in the future?’
Patient’s comprehensive end-of-life QoLShort version of GDI
OncologistOncologist’s patient-centred communication behavioursSHARE-RE
Oncologist’s patient-preferred communication behaviourSHARE-total
Oncologist’s patient-preferred communication behaviourRIAS
Oncologist’s sociological backgroundSex, age, clinical experience
Oncologist’s evaluation of medical utilisation by patientThe date of management
Oncologist’s evaluation of interventionThe usefulness of intervention
  • CoQoLo, Comprehensive Quality of Life Outcome inventory; CSQ, Client Satisfaction Questionnaire; EQ-5D, 5 Dimension EuroQol; FACT-Physical and Functional, Physical Well-being and Functional Well-being subscales of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy; GDI, Good Death Inventory; HADS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; IG, intervention group; K6, K6 Non-specific Psychological Distress Scale; PEACE, Peace, Equanimity and Acceptance in the Cancer Experience Questionnaire; PTPQ, Prognosis and Treatment Perceptions Questionnaire; QoL, quality of life; QPL, question prompt list; RIAS, Roter Intention Analysis System; SHARE, setting, how to deliver the bad news, additional information, and reassurance and emotional support; TiOS, Trust in Oncologists Scale.