Capturing Patient's distress screening before they enter the Radiation oncology outpatient department using a digital platform - ZEDOC

Historically patients would have a distress screening completed by nursing staff at their CT planning scan. This assessment would allow partnership with the patient to work through the distress and put strategies in place to alleviate some of their concerns. However, completing a distress screening at the planning scan appointment resulted in delays and interruptions in patient flow. This time point of distress screening was also a reactive process instead of proactive, anticipatory screening of patient distress which impeded patient-centered care. The Zedoc platform enables electronic distress screening to be delivered and completed in the patient’s home before they attend their first CT planning appointment. These surveys are completed remotely by the patient in their home environment. Nursing staff then review all distress screening surveys prior to the patient attending their consultation, to discuss any concerns raised, and create a tailored care plan during their planning scan appointment.