Evaluating the Feasibility of Using a Mobile App to Track Oncology Patient Navigation Activities and Outcomes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports the implementation of evidence-based interventions to prevent and control cancer, including patient navigation (PN); however, PN lacks standardized tools to measure effectiveness and aggregate data across programs. Using a mobile application (app) could provide a systematic infrastructure for cataloging PN activities and measuring patient outcomes.

Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility of using a mobile app to assist with PN services within cancer control programs.

Seven navigators in 6 geographically diverse PN programs evaluated the mobile app over a period of 5 to 9 months by using the app to track their daily activities. We evaluated the app's capability for collecting and reporting core data elements, such as time spent on outreach, patient care, and administrative tasks, as well as standardized metrics for program evaluation and monitoring. We obtained qualitative data during calls with the navigators through weekly journals and in-depth interviews.

The app was effective in tracking caseload, profiling patients' health challenges and barriers to screening and treatment, and capturing PN activities performed during patient encounters. App limitations included an unreliable reporting function, a requirement for internet connectivity, patient privacy concerns, and evolving technology.

Lessons learned from this evaluation will be useful in developing an app with more robust capabilities while retaining user-friendly features.

Mobile technology may reduce individual and health system barriers to accessing cancer care and treatment and support posttreatment cancer survivors while also assisting navigators in conducting their work efficiently and effectively.