[THERANOVA-LIM: Improving access to information on oral treatments for patients and pharmacists]

To evaluate patient and pharmacist satisfaction with two information systems using QR codes to access information about oral cancer treatments.

THERANOVA-LIM (NCT04931329) was a prospective, descriptive, single-centre study of cancer patients receiving oral treatment. Patients were divided into two groups: one group using the information card and the other using the standard prescription with QR code. Patient satisfaction was assessed at 3 months using questionnaires.

In all, 128 patients were included: 55 received a 'drug information card' and 73 a 'prescription with QR code'. The median age was 69 (37-90). The three most common cancers were breast (37.5%), prostate (14.1%) and brain (10.9%). The vast majority of patients had metastatic cancer (90%). The three most prescribed drugs were capecitabine (21.1%), ribociclib (11.7%) and temozolomide (11.7%). Patients presented the QR codes during medical consultations (25.0%), pharmacy visits (100%) and during home visits by nurses (25.0%). Both patients and professionals were satisfied with these new systems. Pharmacists felt that the prescription with a QR code was more useful for their daily practice in the pharmacy (P=0.02).

QR code systems proved effective in providing information to patients and healthcare professionals. The QR code prescription appeared to be the most practical for pharmacy activities.

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04931329. 2021-05-10.