Background Elective colorectal cancer (CRC) surgeries offer enhanced surgical outcomes but demand high self-efficacy in prehabilitation and competency in self-care and disease management postsurgery. Conventional strategies to meet perioperative needs have not been pragmatic, and there remains a pressing need for novel technologies that could improve health outcomes. Objective The aim of this paper was to describe the development of a smartphone-based interactive CRC self-management enhancement psychosocial program (iCanManage) in order to improve health outcomes among patients who undergo elective CRC surgeries and their family caregivers. Methods A multidisciplinary international team comprising physicians, specialist nurses, a psychologist, software engineers, academic researchers, cancer survivors, patient ambassadors, and ostomy care medical equipment suppliers was formed to facilitate the development of this patient-centric digital solution. The process occurred in several stages: (1) review of current practice through clinic visits and on-site observations; (2) review of literature and findings from preliminary studies; (3) content development grounded in an underpinning theory; (4) integration of support services; and (5) optimizing user experience through improving interface aesthetics and customization. In our study, 5 participants with CRC performed preliminary assessments on the quality of the developed solution using the 20-item user version of the Mobile App Rating Scale (uMARS), which had good psychometric properties. Results Based on the collected uMARS data, the smartphone app was rated highly for functionality, aesthetics, information quality, and perceived impact, and moderately for engagement and subjective quality. Several limiting factors such as poor agility in the adoption of digital technology and low eHealth literacy were identified despite efforts to promote engagement and ensure ease of use of the mobile app. To overcome such barriers, additional app-training sessions, an instruction manual, and regular telephone calls will be incorporated into the iCanManage program during the trial period. Conclusions This form of multidisciplinary collaboration is advantageous as it can potentially streamline existing care paths and allow the delivery of more holistic care to the CRC population during the perioperative period. Should the program be found to be effective and sustainable, hospitals adopting this digital solution may achieve better resource allocation and reduce overall health care costs in the long run. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04159363; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04159363

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BACKGROUND Elective colorectal cancer (CRC) surgeries offer enhanced surgical outcomes but demand high self-efficacy in prehabilitation and competency in self-care and disease management post-surgery. Conventional strategies to meet perioperative needs have not been pragmatic and there remains a pressing need for novel technologies that could improve health outcomes. OBJECTIVE To describe the development of a smartphone-based interactive colorectal cancer self-management enhancement psychosocial programme (iCanManage) to improve health outcomes among family caregivers and patients who undergo elective colorectal cancer surgeries. METHODS A multidisciplinary international team comprising of physicians, specialist nurses, a psychologist, software engineers, academic researchers, cancer survivors, patient ambassadors, and ostomy care medical equipment suppliers was formed to facilitate the development of this patient-centric digital solution. The process occurred in several stages: (i) review of current practice through clinic visits and on-site observations; (ii) review of literature and findings from preliminary studies; (iii) content development grounded in an underpinning theory; (iv) integration of support services; and (v) optimize user experience through improving interface aesthetics and customisation. RESULTS Several limiting factors were identified despite efforts to promote engagement and ensure ease of use of the mobile application. To overcome such barriers, additional app training sessions, an instruction manual and regular telephone calls will be incorporated into the iCanManage programme during the trial period. CONCLUSIONS This form of multidisciplinary collaboration is advantageous as it can potentially streamline existing care paths and allow the delivery of more holistic care to the colorectal cancer population during the perioperative period. Should the programme be found to be effective and sustainable, hospitals adopting this digital solution may achieve better resource allocation and reduce overall healthcare costs in the long run. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04159363 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/)