Required Data Elements and Requirements of a Teleoncology System to Provide Treatment Plans for Patients with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background: Teleoncology refers to the use of telemedicine for remotely providing multiple specialized services in clinical oncology processes, including screening, diagnosis, treatment planning, consultation, supportive care, pathology, surgery, and follow-up services. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the required data elements and elicitation of requirements for developing a telemedicine system that aims at providing treatment plans for patients with breast cancer. Methods: In this study, the required data elements for the teleoncology system were identified through both the investigation of clinical guidelines and review of patients’ medical records. Identified data elements were determined by breast cancer specialists through the questionnaire. Besides, an interview method was applied to elicit the requirements of this system. Results: The identified data elements were categorized into 20 groups (e.g., clinical data, breast physical examinations, pathological results, tests, imaging results, etc.). From the 182 data elements included within the questionnaire, 125 were recognized to be necessary (n = 32, 100%). The lowest mean percentage were observed in magnesium blood test (Mg) (n = 21, 65.63%) and protein test (Pr) (n = 21, 65.63%). Other data elements with a minimum mean of 71.87% and a maximum mean of 100% were recognized necessary. In general, 2 major themes, 9 categories, and 45 related sub-categories were extracted from analyzing the findings of the interviews related to the system requirements. Conclusions: The findings of the present study can be used as a basis for developing teleoncology systems that aim at providing treatment plans for patients with breast cancer.

Estimating Patient Empowerment and Nurses’ Use of Digital Strategies: eSurvey Study

“…Contrary to what one might think, the professional–patient relationship can be strengthened if this confirmation on the Internet is used to speak openly during the consultation [ 28 ]. The main barrier pointed out by nurses when it comes to consulting and confirming valid information on the internet is a lack of time, followed by a lack of skills in this area [ 29 , 30 ].…”

Development and Evaluation of a Teleoncology System for Breast Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In this regard, the results of the different stages of the research are presented respectively. The results of the first stage, which included the required data elements and technical requirements of the teleoncology system, were presented in an article entitled “ Required data elements and requirements of a teleoncology system to provide treatment plans for patients with breast cancer ” [ 32 ]. According to studies, in the question-asking protocol, the presence of five users, including the researcher as an expert observer and four end-users, was found to be sufficient for the evaluation [ 33 ].…”

“…In this regard, the required data elements that were necessary to provide a treatment plan for breast cancer patients were identified. Furthermore, the functional and non-functional requirements of a teleoncology system were determined through interviews with the end-users of the system [ 32 ].…”

Telemedicine in cancer care during COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic mapping study

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