Abstract
Many cancer patients suffer from cancer related fatigue. Unquestionably the management of cancer related fatigue (CRF) is multifactorial and often requires a multidisciplinary team approach. Although guidelines for the management of CRF exist in the literature, patients are not consistently being screened and therefore are uneducated and undermanaged in this diagnosis. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement an evidence-based practice change by which all cancer patients are consistently screened for CRF using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). Patients meeting inclusion criteria received an information letter discussing the project purpose upon their clinic visit check- in. Participants completed the BFI screening tool and demographic information sheet prior to the visit. The screening tool was subsequently scored and a discussion regarding treatment options, including a referral to appropriate specialists, was held with participants who scored positive for CRF. During a three-month data collection period, 99 of 110 patients who met inclusion criteria participated in the project. 87% of the participants met BFI criteria for CRF with 43% at a moderate or severe level of CRF necessitating further intervention. To ensure the timely diagnosis, management, and education of cancer related fatigue in oncology patients, oncology providers should routinely screen their patients for CRF. Routine screening allows for the proper identification of cancer related fatigue thereby ensuring that patients are properly managed and educated in this diagnosis.|Keywords: quality improvement, cancer related fatigue, evidence-based practice, routine screening