Webapp for Data Recollection and Presentation in a Head and Neck Tumor Board.

Abstract

Tumor boards (TB) are increasingly being used during multidisciplinary decision making nevertheless, it might result difficult to register all the questions and decisions reached in TB, for example it has been reported that 60% of TB do not document their recommendations in the United Kingdom. Head and neck TB was implemented in a third level public hospital in Mexico five years ago and one of the main difficulties faced was to timely report all of the decisions and specifications made. A webapp was developed to address this concern and placed on the university webpage (https://cuccuanl.com/tb-cyc/). The webapp allowed the physician who would present the case to fill out a survey with the important clinical information. Afterwards a document with the information was generated and presented at the TB. Simultaneously an API was connected to a database where the patient information could be reviewed by the multidisciplinary team on the different consultations of the patient. A survey was done to assess the app utility and the quality of the TB. The webapp was launched on September 2022 and to date 61 head and neck patients have been discussed. 14 of the 17 regular participants of the TB answered the MARS survey to evaluate quality of med-apps. It was hypothesized that the use of the webapp will translate in high levels of usability and satisfaction among the MDs. A total of 50% of respondents were residents in the 20-30-year age bracket. Regarding the specialties 30% were radio oncologists, 43% medical oncologists and 14.3% otorhinolaryngologists. 85% reported the app was useful and 78.6% that the app helped optimize workflow during the TB. 100% had used the app to present a case during the TB and 78.6% in the subsequent consultation of the patient to revise the TB conclusions and the patient characteristics. Regarding usability 85% reported that the app was easy to use, 92% liked the interphase and 100% that the information presented at the TB was well organized and easy to access. Using the webapp 76% of times, out of the 68 patients, the therapeutic decision was altered. The main complaint has been performance issues when trying to use it on mobile. 93% reported that they will keep using the app the upcoming months and 92% that they would recommend the app to a colleague. The most important features for physicians were: ease of access (85.7%), reviewing information not discussed at TB (57.1%) and a friendly interface (49%). As patient complexity increases it becomes increasingly important to document and access all the information. The use of a webapp in the TB has been well received with high levels of usability and satisfaction, while helping document the important information. Important factors to consider for future apps are that physicians value highly the ease of access and the capacity to review all of the clinical information. Further implementation and research in other TB are warranted.