Personalised app-based information for patients with breast cancer: A pilot study to assess the efficacy and usability of the Answers 4 Cancers app.
Authors: Fay Annemarie , Matthews Michelle , Ronan Karine , Geraghty Susan , Riordan Jennifer , Kearns Katie , Costigan Louise , Hill Arnold D. , Harrold Emily 
Published: July 2024

e13796

Background: While most Irish oncology patients (pts) report searching for information online, they encounter challenges finding accurate, illness-specific information and understanding the content. Irish oncology pts typically use international online resources due to limited dedicated Irish sources. Information from the clinic is often poorly retained, with up to 40-80% immediately forgotten. Following the development of a successful patient information podcast, Answers 4 Cancers, we launched an app providing personalised patient information to address this resource gap. To our knowledge, this is the first app for oncology pts incorporating individual patient onboarding by healthcare professionals to provide tailored patient-specific information. Supportive self-management with app-based information has been shown to save nursing hours, improving burden on resources, and is aligned with the goals of the Irish National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. Aim: To assess the usability of our app and its efficacy in providing relevant and useful information to pts. Methods: Pts with early stage breast cancer receiving (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy, with or without immunotherapy, at 2 Irish cancer centres, were enrolled in a pilot study. Pts downloaded the app and met with a specialist nurse who onboarded the pt and streamlined the information in the app based on their individual diagnosis and treatment plan. Information available on the app is curated from reliable sources and includes mental health and sexual wellbeing resources, clinical trials information, and personalised information on diagnosis, chemotherapy regimen, planned surgery and adjuvant treatments. Pts completed an online questionnaire, which included components of the System Usability Scale, ≥1 week following app download. Results: 13 pts were enrolled and received access to the app. All pts were female. The median age was 45 yrs. Median length of time from app download to questionnaire completion was 21 days. 7 pts (54%) completed questionnaires. 100% (7/7) of patients reported that they would like to use the app frequently, felt more confident in their treatment plan after using the app, and would recommend the app to other pts. 100% (7/7) of pts found the app easy to use and found all the information in the app relevant to their treatment plan. Recruitment is ongoing. Conclusions: This pilot study confirms that an app with a personalised platform is feasible and beneficial to Irish cancer pts and may be applicable to other health jurisdictions. We plan to progress our app as a national project to support the goals of the National Cancer Strategy and facilitate empowering pts to take an active role in their care. Next phases of development include symptom tracking and in-app communication between pts to develop support networks, and assessing the impact of the app on nursing time saved.