A prospective multicenter survey about the use of new technologies and digital health tools in patients with solid tumors and hematological malignancies (Preprint)

Abstract

Barriers to eHealth usage include lack of technological infrastructure, resistance to change, and inequities in access. We present the results of a cross-sectional, multicenter, prospective study featuring outpatient cancer care patients’ responses to a survey on their use of digital health tools and their opinions and preferences regarding an internet application, the Quironsalud Patient Portal.

Our aim was to describe patterns of access and use of eHealth tools across a sample of outpatients receiving treatment for hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

We conducted a cross-sectional, multicenter, prospective study, using a survey offered to patients over 18 years receiving outpatient treatment for hematological malignancies or solid tumors at four teaching hospitals in Madrid, Spain between February 1st and November 30th, 2021. The survey instrument featured questions about patients’ demographic and social characteristics, cancer diagnosis, use of information and communication technology (ICT), usage and opinions of the Patient Portal, and changes in ICT use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two hundred patients were included in our study. Median age was 60 years (range 21-87). 73% presented hematological malignancies. Most patients (181 (90.5%)) considered that eHealth tools might help to improve communication with the medical team during their treatment. Retired participants (28.6% vs 71.4% p<0.001), those older than 60 years (26% vs 74% p<0.001), and those without higher education (2.6% vs 97.4% p< 0.001) showed significantly lower rates of internet usage, with no observed sex-related differences. More than 80% of patients found the Patient Portal useful. 70% reported increased use of ICT due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most patients view eHealth tools as useful and with potential to improve communication with their care team. However, notable gaps in the use of eHealth can be observed in certain groups of patients, with significant differences in usage due to age, education, and employment status. Strategies to identify subgroups at risk for unequal access to digital health, as well as to facilitate access and usage, are warranted.

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