Abstract CN11
Background
The use of eHealth services has increased significantly in recent years. According to earlier publications the eHealth services support patient´s self-management and involvement in their own treatment. The eHealth services are useful in searching for information on cancer disease. They also allow the patients to view a part of their own medical record and to communicate with a healthcare professional regardless of time and place. In eHealth services, patients value simultaneous access to information and healthcare professionals´ support. Patients want to use eHealth services to connect with medical staff and to find answers to sensitive and difficult questions. The use of eHealth services increases the patient's sense of safety and disease management. Patient involvement is the key issue in the improvement of the quality and usefulness of eHealth services. This study aimed to explore patients’ view at first during development of eHealth service and secondly during development of a digital care pathway. The aim of this study was to improve the quality of eHealth services for cancer patients through their involvement.
Methods
Study data was collected: 1) In group discussions among Client Board of the Cancer Centre. 2) In the help of a digital survey among patients using eHealth services at Cancer Centre outpatient clinic.
Results
Members of Client Board suggested that nursing staff would use the eHealth service more often as a part of patient care. They expected reliable and informative content as well information on cancer patient support services and patient organizations. They felt it was important that the patient´s perspective was considered. Patients experienced of the use of digital pathway mainly positive, and they found it be useful contact channel with nursing staff in daily life.
Conclusions
The results of this study can be used to develop eHealth services and improve the quality of cancer patient care.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Maijastiina Rekunen.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.