Employing apps in assessment of symptoms during cancer treatment facilitates detection of adverse events and may improve patient outcomes. Our interactive app Interaktor supports patients’ symptom management by regular symptom reporting, alerts for rapid access to staff in case of severe symptoms and continual access to relevant self-care advice. The aim of this study was to describe usage and explore perceptions of using Interaktor during cancer treatment.
The study includes the participants from the intervention arms of two separate randomized controlled trials (RCT) on patients with breast cancer (n = 74) during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and locally advanced prostate cancer (n = 75) during radiotherapy. It comprises usage metrics analysed by descriptive statistics and interviews analyzed by conventional content analysis.
Adherence to daily reporting during treatment was in median above 80 %. Most patients viewed the information pages with self-care advice numerous times. The app was perceived user-friendly, faciliating interaction with health care professionals and supporting self care. Symptom reporting was a quick and comfortable way to access help. Using the app generated feelings of being monitored, involved and cared for. Further it supported attentiveness to and reflection of own well- being but could also serve as a reminder of illness. Some patients described that vigor, comorbidity, and cognitive side effects from the treatment influenced the motivation for and ability to symptom report. The information pages with self care advice were useful and appreciated and gave an idea of what was to be expected during treatment. Patients requested added and more comprehensive information on psychological symptoms and dietary advice.
The Interaktor app is a userfriendly and convenient alternative for patients contact and involvement with health care that aided symptom management, self-care and further enhanced patients participation in their care.
NCT02479607 and NCT02477137.
Karolinska Institutet.
Swedish Cancer Foundation, Swedish Research Council, Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare and Karolinska Institutet.
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Optimal management of symptoms is essential for the patientś adherence to the treatment schedule and quality of life. Nurses can play a crucial role in identifying the patient’s symptoms, side effects, needs and to provide support and guidance during treatment. At the Department of Oncology we replaced physician-led consultations with systematic nurse-led consultations. This study seeks to evaluate the feasibility of systematic nurse-led consultations among patients with cervical, vulvar or vaginal cancer during radiotherapy prior to the weekly treatment with cisplatin.
This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and safety from systematic nurse-led consultations among patients receiving curative concurrent chemotherapy. Patients who participated in minimum 4-6 nurse-led consultations responded to a self-developed questionnaire evaluating the consultations. The questionnaire consisted of 21 items on a 5-point Likert scale and ranged from very satisfied to very dissatisfied. Further, a focus group interview with nurse specialists (n = 4) was conducted.
Patients (n = 50) who participated in nurse-led consultation from March 2018 to April 2019 fulfilled the questionnaire. The nurse-led consultations were evaluated as being feasible with no adverse events reported. The majority (94 %) were very satisfied or satisfied (6%) with nurse-led consultations. They received sufficient information about self-management strategies and side-effects. They were very satisfied (87,5%) or satisfied (12,5%) with the information and guidance provided by the nurse specialists. The focus group interview revealed that the nurse specialists (n = 4) appreciated the use of their competencies and e.g. valued the autonomy and holistic approach provided to their patients.
Systematic nurse-led consultations during concurrent chemoradiation trajectory of cervical, vulvar or vaginal cancer is feasible, acceptable and safe for both patients and the nurse specialists.
Rigshospitalet, Onkologisk Klinik.
Has not received any funding.
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.