Abstract CN4
Background
People with oncologic disease undergoing chemotherapy treatment refer the need to promote the process of self-management of the disease and the symptoms associated with the treatment. This study aims to describe the development of a mobile application (APP) that support the self-management of the symptoms associated with chemotherapy treatment and strengthen communication between patients and health professionals: the iGestSaúde.
Methods
The research is divided into six stages, using an exploratory/descriptive pilot study conducted over 36 months. The stages include research and fundamentals, development, validation of therapeutic guidelines, field study, technological development, implementation, and mobile application evaluation.
Results
The project will monitor and improve patients' compliance to chemotherapy, to prevent chemotherapy associated complications through preventive indications for self-care, and to improve patients' responses to uncontrolled symptoms or complications. And also, favor adherence to therapeutic indications and answering to the symptoms or complications that may appear associated with the disease. The development of this APP may improve the quality of life of these patients and promote an alternative and efficient way of communication with healthcare professionals. APPs should be tested outside the academic environment, outreaching this group of people, allowing to effectively investigate its applicability and to assess the impact of this “new” technological intervention options. Particularly in this case with therapeutic guidelines validated by healthcare professionals.
Conclusions
APPs can be considered a viable and effective tool for self-management of complications associated with chemotherapy treatment, supported by scientific evidence and these people's specific needs. Despite the recent technological advancements, namely in the design of applications targeting the healthcare area, they lack scientific rigor, particularly in what concern the development of their contents and adequate sustainability, which is the great asset of this project. The proposed solution presented in this study, based on the knowledged obtained by focusing on people’s needs, intended to be the starting point to important contributions for the improvement of knowledge associated with the nursing discipline and the excellence of nursing care in people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.