Abstract
BackgroundUnmanaged cancer symptoms and treatment-related side effects can compromise long-term clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life. Health information technologies such as web-based platforms offer the possibility to supplement existing care and optimize symptom management.ObjectiveThis paper describes the development and usability of a web-based symptom management platform for cancer patients and survivors that will be implemented within a large health system.MethodsA web-based symptom management platform was designed and evaluated via one-on-one usability testing sessions. The System Usability Scale (SUS), After Scenario Questionnaire (ASQ), and qualitative analysis of semistructured interviews were used to assess program usability.ResultsTen cancer survivors and five cancer center staff members participated in usability testing sessions. The mean score on the SUS was 86.6 (SD 14.0), indicating above average usability. The mean score on the ASQ was 2.5 (SD 2.1), indicating relatively high satisfaction with the usability of the program. Qualitative analyses identified valued features of the program and recommendations for further improvements.ConclusionsCancer survivors and oncology care providers reported high levels of acceptability and usability in the initial development of a web-based symptom management platform for cancer survivors. Future work will test the effectiveness of this web-based platform.
Highlights
Improvements in early cancer detection and treatment effectiveness have led to an increasing number of individuals living with and surviving cancer in the United States
The requirements for the clinical content provided by My NM Care Corner were primarily drawn from the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded “Improving the Management of symPtoms during And following Cancer Treatment” (IMPACT) consortium, which focused on providing patient-centered information on common cancer-related symptoms, evidence-based approaches to symptom management, and resources available to cancer patients and survivors at Northwestern Medicine
The majority of the content in My NM Care Corner was derived from previous technology-assisted pilot studies that focused on improving patient symptom management and health-related quality of life among diverse patients with cancer diagnoses [12,13,14,15,16]
Summary
Unmanaged side effects and symptoms can compromise long-term treatment success, and can lead to worsening health-related quality of life and clinical outcomes among patients diagnosed with cancer [2,3]. PRO assessment to guide care can improve patient satisfaction and has been associated with enhanced clinical outcomes [2]. Unmanaged cancer symptoms and treatment-related side effects can compromise long-term clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life. Health information technologies such as web-based platforms offer the possibility to supplement existing care and optimize symptom management. Conclusions: Cancer survivors and oncology care providers reported high levels of acceptability and usability in the initial development of a web-based symptom management platform for cancer survivors. Future work will test the effectiveness of this web-based platform
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