Assessing Patient Perspectives and the Health Equity of a Digital Cancer Symptom Remote Monitoring and Management...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Digital Health
• Symptom Management

Background:

• Cancer patients often have poorly controlled symptoms between treatments.
• Automated digital technology can remotely monitor and manage symptoms at home.
• Patient engagement, satisfaction, and equitable benefit distribution are crucial for digital interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Symptom Care at Home (SCH) digital platform.
• To determine patient engagement and satisfaction with SCH.
• To assess if intervention subgroups achieved similar symptom reduction benefits.

Main Methods:

• 358 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy were randomized to SCH or usual care (UC).
• Daily symptom reporting and monthly SF36 surveys were conducted.
• SCH provided automated self-care coaching and NP follow-up for uncontrolled symptoms.

Main Results:

• High daily adherence (90%) and user satisfaction were reported.
• SCH participants showed reduced symptom burden across most subgroups (P < .001).
• Non-White and lower-income participants experienced greater symptom reduction; men showed improved mental health.

Conclusions:

• The Symptom Care at Home platform demonstrated high engagement and satisfaction.
• Digital tools can help overcome disparities in cancer symptom care.
• Systematic digital care shows potential for equitable symptom management outcomes.