BackgroundElectronic health (eHealth) and mobile communication-based health care (mHealth) applications have been increasingly utilized in medicine over the last decade, and have facilitated improved adherence to therapy regimens in patients with chronic conditions. Due to the long duration of breast cancer therapy, and the long course of disease in metastatic breast cancer, a need for more intensified physician-patient communication has emerged. Various support mechanisms, including new media such as mHealth and eHealth, have been proposed for this purpose.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between sociodemographic factors, as well as health status of breast cancer patients, and their current utilization of new media, or their willingness to use Internet and mobile phone apps for improvement of therapy management.MethodsThe survey for this study was conducted anonymously during the 2012 Mamazone Projekt Diplompatient meeting (Augsburg, Germany), which hosted approximately 375 participants per day. A total of 168 questionnaires were completed. The questionnaire aimed to assess sociodemographic status, disease patterns, and current use of new media (ie, Internet, mobile phone, and mobile phone apps) in breast cancer patients. Habits and frequency of use for these new technologies, as well as patients’ affinity towards eHealth and mHealth tools for therapy management improvement, were investigated.ResultsAlmost all participants used the Internet (95.8%, 161/168), with 91.5% (151/165) also utilizing this technology for health-related issues. Approximately 23% (38/168) of respondents owned a mobile phone. When asked about their preferences for therapy assistance, 67.3% (113/168) of respondents were interested in assistance via the Internet, 25.0% (42/168) via mobile phone, and 73.2% (123/168) via call center. Patients diagnosed with breast cancer <5 years before the survey were significantly more interested in a call center than patients diagnosed >5 years before survey participation.ConclusionsThe vast majority of breast cancer patients accept the Internet for therapy assistance, which indicates that eHealth is a promising medium to improve patient-physician communication. Such technologies may improve individual disease management and ultimately lead to an enhanced adherence to therapy regimens.
BackgroundLack of adherence and compliance with drug regimens among breast cancer patients represent substantial problems in oral therapies, leading to significant impacts on mortality. Where other systems have failed, electronic health (eHealth) could be a possible solution to improve medication intake, along with the doctor-patient relationship. Initial results from studies concerning new interventions for therapy support are promising, but reports suggest that general acceptance of new treatment support tools is needed among patients and physicians alike.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the actual use of the Internet and other modern media among physicians involved in breast cancer treatment.MethodsUsing a standardized questionnaire, actual utilization of new media among physicians was analyzed. Internet-related behaviors in private, as well as in business life, were investigated. Attention was focused on physicians’ opinions regarding modern eHealth tools and how patients could be best supported to enhance adherence.ResultsA total of 120 physicians, all participating in breast cancer care, completed the questionnaire (median age 41 years). Almost all participants (99.2%, 119/120) used the Internet for general purposes and 98.3% (118/120) used it for medical issues as well. Virtually all medical professionals (99.2%, 119/120) reported that they owned a computer, while more recently invented technologies such as tablets and smartphones were owned by 31.9% (38/119) and 73.1% (87/119), respectively. The Internet was favored by 66.4% (79/119) of the physicians in our survey as a source for patient support; 71.2% (84/118) would also favor modern media for side effect registration. Based on our analysis, the most frequent Internet-utilizing physicians were characterized by age <60, worked in a hospital, and were employed as a junior physician.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated a high usage of Internet-related technologies among physicians, indicating that the use of eHealth for advanced and individualized support in breast cancer care is a promising addition to treatment management. Such technologies have the potential to enhance adherence and compliance in therapy among cancer patients.
Introduction: Lack of compliance and adherence in oral and s.c. treatment of breast cancer (BC) are huge problems leading to significant impacts in morbidity and mortality. During long term treatment, constant patient contact can’t be secured and possible side effects not be treated adequately. Where conventional mailing systems failed, as reported in the PACT program, eHealth could be a possible solution to increase adherence among patients and to ameliorate the communication between patients, oncologist and nurses. The objective of this study is to investigate the actual internet usage habits and property of new media among BC patients, their oncologists and the nursing staff to find new possible ways to improve compliance and adherence in long term treatment. Methods: By using 3 different questionnaires (33 items), the actual usage of internet and modern media among BC patients and their healthcare professionals (oncologists and nursing staff) is surveyed. Also, the equipment of media (computer, smartphone, etc.) in private as well as in business use is investigated. Huge care and attention is given to possible future eHealth systems for additional patient support. The collected data also includes age, sex, workplace and, in case of medical professionals, their emphasis. Patients completed the questionnaire at two patient conventions and before consultations, oncologists and nurses were asked to answer the questionnaire at several local BC meetings. Results: 631 patients, 120 oncologists and 96 nurses completed the questionnaire in 2013. The internet usage in general and for health related issues is very high among all three subgroups (patients: 93% and 77%, respectively; oncologists: 100% and 98%; nurses: 92% and 93%). Among patients, even above age 60, 51% report to use the internet every day. Taking a look at participant’s equipment of new media, the property of a personal computer is very high (78%; 99%; 95%). Medical professionals as well as the majority of patients can imagine getting additional support during long term therapy using eHealth technologies (e.g. for monitoring of and interventions concerning side effects) (see table). Discussion: This survey, which is the first BC specific study representing internet usage habits among BC patients and their medical professionals, shows high acceptance of new interactive ways of communication between patients, doctors and nurses who are all taking part in treatment of BC. Introducing eHealth may help increase compliance and improve and individualize the doctor-patient-relationship which will possibly lead to decreased mortality and higher patient and staff satisfaction. Table 1 PatientsDoctorsNursing StaffNumber of participants63112096Internet usage in general92.7% (495/534)100% (119/119)91.7% (88/96)Property of media:PC77.7% (490/631)99.2% (119/120)94.8% (91/96)Smartphone25.5% (161/631)70.8% (85/120)45.8% (44/96)Wish for additional patient support:via Internet53.8% (276/513)66.4% (79/119)56.8% (54/95)via Smartphone24.2% (119/49251.3% (60/117)31.1% (28/90)Registration of side effects via electronic devices41.1% (204/497)71.2% (84/118)56.1% (51/91) Citation Format: Rachel Wuerstlein, Thomas Kirkovits, Caroline Drewes, Daniel Schiltz, Ingo Bauerfeind, Renate Haidinger, Kerstin Paradies, Ursula Goldmann-Posch, Timo Schinkoethe, Nadia Harbeck. eHealth in modern breast cancer treatment: New possibilities in communication between patients, doctors and nursing staff [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-10-05.
Introduction: Implementation of oral and s.c. medications for breast cancer (BC) led to new challenges for patients and physicians regarding optimal and continuous communication. For patients, irregular physician contact and communication is the challenge with more liberty and treatment self-management. For oncologists, lack of surveillance and counseling time is associated with these drug administration forms. Since regular physician contact is not mandatory as with standardized i.v. schedules, patients’ questions regarding treatment may not be answered in a timely fashion, side effects not be treated adequately. To close the gaps between each face to face consultation, to improve the doctor-patient relationship and to enhance patient compliance, new ways of communication, including eHealth and web-based programs, may thus be useful. The objective of our investigation is to evaluate actual use of internet and modern media (e.g. smartphones) in BC patients and their healthcare professionals. Methods: We designed anonymous questionnaires (33 items) for patients and physicians. Both questionnaires analyze frequency and behavior of use of internet and modern media, available equipment at patients’ homes and doctors’ offices and opinions on future eHealth tools. Data also include age, sex, place of living, workplace, and modern media use in health related questions. Patients were asked to answer the questionnaire before consultations and at a BC patient conference (Mamazone, Augsburg 2012). Health care specialists were asked to complete the questionnaire at several regional BC meetings. Results: So far, questionnaires have been completed by 120 BC-specialists and 631 patients. Up to the age of 50, 89% of patients use internet for health related issues. Even above age 70, more than the half use internet for health related purposes. Among doctors, 98% use internet for medical issues. Implementation of potential future eHealth tools would be highly accepted in both groups. Table 1 patientsdoctorsNumber of participants631120internet usage in general92.7% (494/534)100% (119/119)internet usage for health related issues77.2% (461/597)98.3% (118/120)wish for support for patients via internet / via smartphone / via callcenter53.8% (276/513) / 24.2% (129/492) / 61.7% (311/521)66.4% (88/119) / 51.3% (60/117) / 49.1% (57/116)registration of side effects via electronic devices41.4% (204/497)71.2% (84/118) Discussion: This survey shows a high rate of internet and modern media use among BC physicians and their patients, the latter surprisingly also in higher age-groups. Physicians and patients could well imagine web-based therapy support. In both groups, the additional possibility to regularly record side effects and manage them without face to face meetings is favored by a majority. The routine use of internet and modern media and trust in new interactive communication tools in both groups, may enable improvements in doctor-patient-relationship, compliance and adherence in oncology. Our data, which represent the first BC-specific survey, suggest that eHealth-tools may have a promising future in communication and treatment of BC. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P1-11-01.
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