Effectiveness of self-reported management program of cancer patients

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to analyze the effect of Smart Cancer Care program on the quality of life and ease of chemotherapy continuation in cancer patients and the effect of additional tele-management on frequency of use and satisfaction with the Smart Cancer Care program. Methods ‘Smart Cancer Care’ is a mobile program that allows cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to report symptoms of adverse events and receive remote management. In this study, patients were randomly assigned to three groups: Group A, who received only classical face-to-face management; Group B, who used the Smart Cancer Care program as addition; and Group C, who used the Smart Cancer Care program and received telephone management. After 12 weeks of follow-up, the effectiveness of using the Smart Cancer Care program was analyzed by examining the quality of life, ease of maintaining chemotherapy, and unplanned hospital visits in each group. The frequency of use and satisfaction with the Smart Cancer Care program were also analyzed. Results Cancer patients who used the Smart Cancer Care program had 1.93-fold (1.15–3.25) higher overall quality of life than those who did not. This became 2.33-fold (1.34–4.04) higher when phone care was added. Patients with tele-management were significantly more likely to use the Smart Cancer Care program (odds ratio (OR) = 25.80; 95% confidence interval (CI), 11.28–58.97). Conclusions A mobile self-reported management program has a positive effect on the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Tele-management is conducive to active and effective use of this program.