The Comfort app prototype: introducing a web-based application for monitoring comfort in palliative care

Pinto, Sara; Almeida, Filipe Nuno Alves dos Santos; Caldeira, Sílvia; Martins, José

doi:10.12968/ijpn.2017.23.9.420

Cited by 15 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…In contrast to our trial, previous studies focused on interventions such as telephone follow-up, questionnaires or webbased apps for reporting of symptoms. [30][31][32][33] Most mature data have been reported by Maudlin et al Introduction of a combination of text messaging and videophones achieved a reduction of hospitalizations by 66% and of EVs by 19% in veteran patients with end-stage illnesses, including cancer, chronic heart failure, emphysema, or dementia. In contrast to our study, these patients had a better life expectancy of minimum two years.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mobile Health Technologies for Continuous Monitoring of Cancer Patients in Palliative Care Aiming to Predict Health Status Deterioration: A Feasibility Study

Pavic

Theile

Kraft

et al. 2020

Journal of Palliative Medicine

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Background: Unplanned readmissions or emergency visits (EVs) after discharge from hospital are frequent in patients in palliative care. Strategies to anticipate and prevent rapid deterioration of health are needed. Objective: Assessing feasibility and predictive ability of remote monitoring using wearables. Design: Prospective observational feasibility study in a single center. Setting/Subjects: Thirty cancer patients with an estimated life expectancy of >8 weeks to <12 months, aged >18 years and being discharged from inpatient to outpatient care were included. Measurements: Patients were provided with a smartphone, including the preinstalled ''Activity Monitoring'' application and a sensor-equipped bracelet. Follow-up was 12 weeks. Both devices recorded several features (e.g., vital signs). Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and distress was reported once daily and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) once weekly. Statistical methods were applied to explore relationship between sensor data, self-reports, and EVs or readmissions or death. Results: Between February 2017 and May 2018, 30 patients were included. Twenty-five of 30 participants (83%) completed 12 weeks of follow-up. On average, bracelet was worn on 53% and smartphone on 85% of study days. Completion rate of daily digital questionnaires for subjective ratings was 73%. Eight unplanned hospital readmissions occurred. Ratings of pain, distress, and QLQ-C30 scores were not associated with readmission, whereas resting heart rate, resting heart rate variability, as well as speed of steps differed significantly in patients with and without readmission. Conclusions: Monitoring of palliative cancer patients using wearables is feasible. First results indicate that mobile health features might be promising biomarkers to predict unplanned readmissions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mobile Health Technologies for Continuous Monitoring of Cancer Patients in Palliative Care Aiming to Predict Health Status Deterioration: A Feasibility Study

Pavic

Theile

Kraft

et al. 2020

Journal of Palliative Medicine

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“…In all the included studies, patients' experiences were predominantly positive for eHealth applications and communication (32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43). Eleven studies described patients' practical experiences of using various technological tools to communicate digitally with their caregivers (32,33,(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43). In the twelfth study, patients described wanting technical communication aids both to receive and to provide information digitally, and thus facilitate communication with healthcare professionals (34).…”

Section: E-health Applications -Promoting Communication On Patients' mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Through technology, new opportunities and arenas for meetings were made possible, as an addition to the more common traditional face to face care meetings or conferences. Several studies described that patients perceived various technical communication aids as user-friendly and feasible (32,33,(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43). An example of user exibility, was an app that could be used in the way individual patients or families wanted, either on a mobile phone, a computer or a tablet (33,35,(39)(40)(41).…”

Section: Usability and Feasibility Of Ehealth Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies described that patients perceived various technical communication aids as user-friendly and feasible (32,33,(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43). An example of user exibility, was an app that could be used in the way individual patients or families wanted, either on a mobile phone, a computer or a tablet (33,35,(39)(40)(41). Communicating via video link also worked well and was found convenient (33,(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)42).…”

Section: Usability and Feasibility Of Ehealth Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An example of user exibility, was an app that could be used in the way individual patients or families wanted, either on a mobile phone, a computer or a tablet (33,35,(39)(40)(41). Communicating via video link also worked well and was found convenient (33,(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)42). Patients experienced bene ts of videoconferencing as compared to telephone consultations, since the added visual dimension provided information about body language and emotions (35,36,40).…”

Section: Usability and Feasibility Of Ehealth Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Patients’ experiences of eHealth in palliative care: an integrative review.

Widberg

Wiklund

Klarare

2020

Preprint

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Background: With a growing world population, a longer life expectancy, and more deaths due to chronic diseases, the need for palliative care is increasing. E-Health involves the use of information and communication technology to provide care, and also to transmit health information through the Internet and related technologies. E-Health can be an effective way of supporting communication between patient and healthcare providers, but it is unclear to how patients regard information and communication technology (ICT) within palliative careMethods: The aim of this study was to describe patients’ experiences of eHealth in palliative care. An integrative review with a systematic literature search of six databases: Cinahl Complete; MEDLINE with Full Text; PubMed; Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection; Nursing and Allied Health; and PsycINFO generated 12 scientific articles. The articles were evaluated, data extracted, analyzed and synthesized, according to the aim.Results: The results are presented in the main theme: E-health applications – promoting communication on patients’ and families’ terms, and three sub- themes: usability and feasibility of eHealth applications; symptom control and individualized care promoted through eHealth applications; and use of eHealth applications increased sense of security and patient safety. Patients described ease of use, usability and feasibility of eHealth applications. Equal and individualized care, security, better symptom management, participation through increased accessibility and increased patient safety were described.Conclusions: E-Health applications promoted equal, individualized care, and may be a tool to promote accessibility and patient participation in palliative care settings. Furthermore, care transparency increased with eHealth communication when patients and families received more information, and experiences were that patient safety and feelings of security also were promoted. At organizational and societal levels, eHealth may contribute to sustainable development and more efficient use of resources in palliative care.

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Assessing the Will to Live: A Scoping Review

Bornet

Bernard

Jaques

et al. 2021

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

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Context. The will to live (WTL) is an important factor to consider in the context of providing resource-oriented palliative care. Until now, there has been no major review of the existing research on this subject. Objectives. The primary objective of this study is to summarize the state of research concerning instruments that assess the WTL. The secondary objective is to explore the theoretical models and psychometric properties of these instruments, in studies where these instruments were initially presented. The tertiary objective is to identify, among all studies where these instruments have been used, the intensity of the WTL, and factors associated with it. Methods. We conducted a scoping review, including studies that were designed to assess the WTL among participants in all settings. Records were systematically searched from seven bibliographic databases with no date limitations up to August 2020. Results. Of the 3078 records screened, 281 were examined in detail and 111 were included in the synthesis. A total of 25 different instruments quantitatively assessing the WTL are presented. Most are single-question tools and rate intensity. The underlying concepts and psychometric properties are incompletely explained. Lack of crossreferencing is apparent. The intensity of the WTL is high, even among people with significant health impairment, and is frequently associated with different factors, such as resilience and quality of life. Conclusion. A considerable yet unconnected body of studies assesses the WTL. Its assessment in clinical routine could promote resource-oriented and patient-centered care.

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The Comfort app prototype: introducing a web-based application for monitoring comfort in palliative care

Abstract: This prototype is feasible and user-friendly. Further research is needed to continue the app development, particularly in terms of data protection.

Cited by 15 publications

References 27 publications

Mobile Health Technologies for Continuous Monitoring of Cancer Patients in Palliative Care Aiming to Predict Health Status Deterioration: A Feasibility Study

Mobile Health Technologies for Continuous Monitoring of Cancer Patients in Palliative Care Aiming to Predict Health Status Deterioration: A Feasibility Study

Patients’ experiences of eHealth in palliative care: an integrative review.

Assessing the Will to Live: A Scoping Review

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