Lifestyle and Empowerment Techniques in Survivorship of Gynaecologic Oncology (LETSGO study): a study protocol for a multicentre longitudinal interventional study using mobile health technology and biobanking

Vistad, Ingvild; Skorstad, Mette; Demmelmaier, Ingrid; Småstuen, Milada Cvancarova; Lindemann, Kristina; Wisløff, Torbjørn; Poll‐Franse, Lonneke V. van de; Berntsen, Sveinung

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050930

Cited by 8 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…Patients can report their symptoms weekly and an alert is sent to the breast cancer center if symptoms worsen. Many other apps also allow regular monitoring of symptoms, for example the ‘LETSGO’ app for gynecological cancer patients [28 ▪ ], the ‘mPCL’ app for incurable cancer patients [33 ▪ ], the ‘Interaktor’ app for prostate cancer patients [34 ▪▪ ] or the ‘Pain Monitor’ app for cancer patients with pain [29 ▪ ]. Besides, the assessment of symptoms, the integration of tracking devices is implemented in some of the apps [23,31,38].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Content features and its implementation in novel app-based psycho-oncological interventions for cancer survivors: a narrative review

Springer¹,

Mehnert‐Theuerkauf²

2022

Current Opinion in Oncology

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Purpose of reviewThe interest in and availability of app-based psycho-oncological interventions for cancer survivors has grown rapidly. In this narrative review, we therefore aim to provide an overview of the psychological content features included in psycho-oncological apps and how the content is implemented in the apps.Recent findingsA total of 19 studies (six randomized controlled trials, six studies with prepost design, five study protocols and two app developments), all published in the last 18 months (July 2020 to December 2021), were analyzed in terms of the described app-based interventions and their psycho-oncological content. Apps for cancer survivors are conducted for a variety of different diagnoses and often target a specific patient population, for example patients with a specific therapy. The most frequent content features are psychoeducation, self-monitoring of symptoms, and some sort of exercise or relaxation program. Depending on the app's purpose, some offer specific content, such as decision aids, medication schedules or modules to improve coping strategies. Most apps combine informative and interactive elements.SummaryPsycho-oncological apps for cancer survivors target many relevant psychological problem areas and aim to improve patient empowerment. Available mHealth interventions can therefore be seen as a good complement for cancer care and also offer the possibility to improve patient involvement.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only apps for adolescence and adult cancer patients were included. In total, we included 19 studies out of 564 for this narrative review [20,21 ▪ ,22–24,25 ▪▪ ,26,27 ▪▪ ,28 ▪ ,29 ▪ ,30–32,33 ▪ ,34 ▪▪ ,35,36,37 ▪▪ ,38].…”

Section: Methods Search Strategymentioning

confidence: 99%

Content features and its implementation in novel app-based psycho-oncological interventions for cancer survivors: a narrative review

Springer¹,

Mehnert‐Theuerkauf²

2022

Current Opinion in Oncology

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“…Empowerment of patients may be an important aspect of GP-based follow-up, educating them about both symptoms of relapse and LEs, with reassurance from readily available caregivers. The use of electronic patient-reported outcomes has been suggested [ 33 ], possibly preventing delays in reporting symptoms and leading to earlier detection of relapse [ 34 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Late-effect awareness and follow-up of cancer in general practice

Eikeland

Smeland

Brekke

et al. 2022

Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care

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Objective With increasing cancer incidence and survival rates, follow-up care becomes a major healthcare concern, placing increased demands on general practitioners (GPs). We explored GPs’ awareness of late effects (LEs) after cancer treatment. Their degree of involvement and attitudes towards follow-up care was studied separately for solid cancers and Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL). Design and setting Mailed questionnaire study in Norwegian general practice. Subjects 185 responding GPs with responsibility for HL survivors, more than 10 years since diagnosis. Main outcome measures and results All GPs reported some awareness of LEs. Increasing awareness of LEs was associated with female sex, being a specialist, having experience from hospital-based cancer care and familiarity with official guidelines on LEs after treatment. The majority of GPs were involved in follow-up care, which increased with patients’ time since treatment and was associated with higher awareness of LEs. GPs with work experience in hospital-based cancer care were more likely to be engaged in HL follow-up. Most GPs were willing to provide follow-up care at some point after treatment. Older and more experienced GPs, and those satisfied with the collaboration with hospital specialists, were more likely to provide follow-up earlier. Conclusion GPs’ awareness of LEs and their willingness to provide follow-up care were related to familiarity with guidelines and experience. GPs more involved in follow-up care also had higher knowledge of LEs. Distribution of guidelines on LEs and follow-up care, and improving collaboration with hospital specialists, might increase GPs’ knowledge and willingness to become involved in follow-up care, especially early in their careers. GPs’ involvement and attitude towards follow-up of survivors of common solid cancers and HL, a rare malignant disease, were similar. KEY POINTS Norwegian general practitioners (GPs) are involved in survivorship care after cancer treatment. We investigated their awareness of late effects (LEs), their involvement and their attitude towards follow-up care of solid cancers and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. • GPs registered as specialists, aware of guidelines and with experience from hospital-based cancer care reported higher awareness of LEs. • GPs with higher awareness of LEs were more frequently involved in follow-up care. • GPs with longer experience in general practice were comfortable with follow-up care at an earlier stage after treatment. • Results were similar for follow-up care of survivors of solid cancers and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

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“…Our research group developed LETSGO, a new follow-up model for patients with gynecological cancer. The main objective of this model is to increase patient involvement and personalized care by utilizing nurse resources and consequently reduce the number of consultations with oncologic physicians [ 29 ]. The LETSGO model schedules alternating nurse-led and traditional physician-led follow-up consultations, as described in Table 1 , and the eHealth technology reinforces nurse-led consultations with a specially designed smartphone application (the LETSGO app) and activity tracker, as described in Table 2 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nurse-led consultations reinforced with eHealth technology: a qualitative study of the experiences of patients with gynecological cancer

et al. 2022

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Background During the last decade, the health care profession has moved toward personalized care and has focused on the diversity of survivorship needs after initial cancer treatment. Health care providers encourage empowering patients to participate actively in their own health management and survivorship. Consequently, we developed and piloted a new follow-up model for patients at a Norwegian hospital, referred to as the Lifestyle and Empowerment Techniques in Survivorship of Gynecologic Oncology (LETSGO) model. Using LETSGO, a dedicated nurse replaces the physician in every second follow-up consultation, providing patients who have undergone cancer treatment with self-management techniques that are reinforced with eHealth technology via a specially designed app. Encouraging behavioral change and evaluating the late effects of treatment and recurrence symptoms are central components of self-management techniques. In addition, the app encourages physical activity and positive lifestyle changes, helps identify recurrence-related symptoms, and provides reminders of activity goals. This study aims to investigate experiences with nurse-led consultations supported by eHealth technology among the patients who piloted the LETSGO intervention. Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted to analyze the participants’ experiences with the LETSGO intervention after six to seven months. Results The participants in the LETSGO pilot felt safe and well cared for. They thought the nurse was less busy than the doctors appear to be, which made it easy for them to share any cancer-related challenges. Many participants reported increased empowerment and confidence in recognizing symptoms of cancer recurrence, and participants who used the app regularly were motivated to increase their physical activity levels. However, the participants also experienced some limitations and technical errors with the app. Conclusions Generally, the participants positively received the nurse-led consultations and eHealth technology, but an intervention study is required for further evaluation. In addition, the reported technical app errors should be resolved and tested prior to eHealth application implementation. Regardless, this study may be useful in planning personalized survivorship care studies. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov,NCT03453788. Registration March 5, 2018.

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Lifestyle and Empowerment Techniques in Survivorship of Gynaecologic Oncology (LETSGO study): a study protocol for a multicentre longitudinal interventional study using mobile health technology and biobanking

Cited by 8 publications

References 62 publications

Content features and its implementation in novel app-based psycho-oncological interventions for cancer survivors: a narrative review

Content features and its implementation in novel app-based psycho-oncological interventions for cancer survivors: a narrative review

Late-effect awareness and follow-up of cancer in general practice

Nurse-led consultations reinforced with eHealth technology: a qualitative study of the experiences of patients with gynecological cancer

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