Abstract P6-12-11: Implementation of a digital platform to improve patient care through better multidisciplinary team communication: Experience of a Brazilian breast oncology practice
Authors: Jorge HS Leal, Carlos Augusto Malbouisson, Ricardo Gomes, Ivana Lebre, Adriano Magno, Ana Carla Rocha, Janyce Cassiolato, Livia Lopes, Daniel FST Argolo
Journal: Cancer Research (2020)

Abstract Background: The possibility of prompt interaction with the involved professionals in a health system has a great positive impact and represents one of the determining factors for the quality of care provided to cancer patients. Breast cancer treatment involves the use of long-term therapies, most of them oral, with constant possibility of side effects which are frequently not reported during medical visits. Trials using digital platforms for patient electronic monitoring have showed increased survival and patient satisfaction, favoring to the adoption of this strategy. In Brazil, to our knowledge, no such trials have been conducted. CLION / CAM Group is a large multidisciplinary private oncology practice located in the northeast part of Brazil, mostly dedicated to the care of breast cancer patients. Here we describe our experience in developing and implementing a digital platform to improve patient care and further developments focused on treatment side effects and patients reported outcomes. Methods: The project started in May 2017 with the development of a mobile platform (versions web, iOS and Android-based) and internal tests. In January 2018 the platform was lunched with a chat center specifically designed for the patient and multidisciplinary team (doctors and nurses initially). To improve user experience, some implementations were idealized: 1) groups for multidisciplinary case discussion on a safe digital environment; 2) fast and friendly view of the medical agendas and scheduling of each patient through the application; 3) integration with the electronic health record; 4) sending questionnaires to specific groups, allowing monitoring of therapeutic adherence to oral medications and more complex adverse reactions. Results: until July 7th 2019, 601 users downloaded the mobile platform. There were 31 doctors, 32 non-medical professionals (nursing staff, pharmacy, nutrition, psychology, physical therapist and dentistry) and 538 patients, of whom, 425 with breast cancer diagnosis including 121 taking oral therapy. A total of 1537 chats were initiated, with 27886 messages, 1618 images and 160 documents exchanged. Conclusion: Implementing a digital mobile platform for cancer patient care is feasible in a private oncology practice in Brazil and resulted in an intense and productive multidisciplinary team interaction. Systems of this nature should be encouraged in order to keep the communication channel open to patients and families, improving the care to be rendered. Simple measures, inexpensive to the health care system and, demonstrably, highly effective. A prospective clinical trial comparing patient reported outcome with conventional care vs using the mobile platform is been developed with breast cancer patients using oral oncologic drugs at our institution. Citation Format: Jorge HS Leal, Carlos Augusto Malbouisson, Ricardo Gomes, Ivana Lebre, Adriano Magno, Ana Carla Rocha, Janyce Cassiolato, Livia Lopes, Daniel FST Argolo. Implementation of a digital platform to improve patient care through better multidisciplinary team communication: Experience of a Brazilian breast oncology practice [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-12-11.