Integrating the open-ended WISP (Write-In-three-Symptoms-Problems) instrument into the QLG mission

This project is an extension of the development of the open-ended instrument named ‘Write In three Symptoms/Problems’ (WISP), which allows patients to report up to three symptoms and problems not covered by the EORTC questionnaires

In this second step, we aim to fully integrate the WISP instrument into the EORTC PRO measurement system by analysing qualitative WISP data collected in ongoing EORTC clinical studies to evaluate the clinical utility of WISP.

We will also expand the current WISP coding system to achieve compatibility with the existing EORTC Item Library by mapping the current WISP symptom/problem categories to the Item Library.

• We have completed the first round linking current WISP categories to EORTC PRO-AE items and CTCAE v 6.0 terms.
• We have begun linking current WISP categories to the EORTC Item Library.
• We have developed a first classification for the WISP categories (i.e.., linked categories, complex categories and missing categories.
• We have started analysing and codifying qualitative WISP data for ongoing clinical studies.

We are currently mapping the WISP categories to the EORTC Item Library and analysing WISP data for ongoing clinical studies.

We anticipate completing the mapping of the WISP categories by June 2026.

We are looking for other clinical studies that wish to use the WISP instrument supplementing their EORTC questionnaires/modules.

The EORTC Quality of Life Group has developed several questionnaires to assess cancer patients’ symptomatology. These standard questionnaires with closed-ended responses can never capture all symptoms and problems that patients may experience. To address this gap, we developed a brief open-ended instrument named WISP (“Write In three Symptoms/Problems”), which permits patients to report symptoms and problems not covered by the EORTC questionnaires.

Our goal is to make WISP a standard component of the EORTC system for measuring patient-reported outcomes. To do this, we will test how useful is WISP by using it in ongoing clinical studies and improve how the responses are organized and analyzed.

The results of this project will support the future development of free-text digital tools that allow patients to freely describe their symptoms, leading to a better understanding and care in cancer treatment.