1707P - CureCancer digital tool in the routine clinical oncology practice facilitates PROs, communicating with HCPs, treatment adherence and “distancing interventions” during COVID-19 and reduces costs: A feasibility and satisfaction study

Background

CureCancer is a patient-centered/patient-driven digital tool integrated in the routine oncology practice. Patients self-create their medical profile, record their symptoms and communicate them to health care professionals (HCPs). We aimed to assess the tool’s feasibility and patients’ satisfaction.

Methods

14 Centers participated, starting from 02.2020. COVID-19 epidemic period was included. Patients signed consent to upload their data, report their symptoms and complete 2 questionnaires. Results following the completion of the 1^st questionnaire are reported.

Results

78 patients were enrolled and 68 (87%) uploaded their data to date; 60 of 68 (88%), 30 males and 30 females, median age 53 years, completed the 1^st questionnaire. Thirty-seven (61.6%) were University graduates. Cancer types included breast cancer (21.6%), Head/Neck cancer, pancreatic cancer and other cancers. Ten patients reported “other”, 4 reported multiple cancers, 28 had metastatic disease and 45 active treatment. Registration and use of the platform was reported as “very to very much” easy by 52 (86.6%) and 50 (83.3%) patients, respectively. File uploading was “very to very much” easy for 33 (55%) patients; 49 (81.6%) preferred the digital way and 50 (83.3%) will introduce it to others. Patients highlighted that CureCancer improved communication with HCPs, increased their sense of safety, facilitated treatment adherence and interventions at distance, particularly when outside the Cancer Center and during the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced the number of visits, time and out-of-pocket expenses. Benefits liked best were easy data access, improved communication and sense of safety.

Conclusions

CureCancer use was feasible, increased communication with HCPs, patients’ sense of safety, treatment adherence and medical interventions at distancing, reduced visits and saved time and money. Continuing integration of CureCancer to embed PROs in routine cancer care is expected to improve treatment outcomes within or outside the Cancer Center and in pandemics and to reduce costs.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.