Use of Digital Health Tools for Health Promotion in Cancer Survivors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry K. Onyeaka ◽  
Juliana Zambrano ◽  
Regina M. Longley ◽  
Christopher M. Celano ◽  
John A. Naslund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Digital Health

Healthcare apps on smartphones available in Brazil: a preliminary classification (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
André De Faria Pereira Neto ◽  
Leticia Barbosa ◽  
Rodolfo Paolucci
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Disease Prevention ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
World Health ◽  
Computing Device ◽  
Care Treatment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Applications

UNSTRUCTURED Billions of people in the world own a smartphone. It is a low-cost, portable computing device with countless features, among which applications stand out, which are programs or software developed to meet a specific goal. A wide range of applications available ranging from entertainment and personal organization to work and education is available currently. It is a vast and profitable market. Health applications have been a means of intervention for different areas, including chronic diseases, epidemics, and health emergencies. A recently published paper in the journal with the highest impact factor in Digital Health (“Journal of Medical Internet Research”) proposes a classification of health applications. This study performs a critical analysis of this organization and presents other sort criteria. This paper also presents and analyzes the “Meu Info Saúde” (“My Health Info”) app – a pioneering government initiative focused on primary care launched by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. The application classification proposal that will be presented builds on the intervention strategies in the health-disease process, namely: “Health Promotion”, “Disease Prevention” and “Care, Treatment and Rehabilitation”, as defined by official documents such as the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most applications present in the sample are of private and foreign origin, free to download, but with a display of ads or the sale of products and services. The sampled applications were classified as “Health Promotion”, and some applications have also been categorized as “Disease Prevention” or “Care, Treatment or Rehabilitation” because they have multiple functionalities. The applications identified as “Health Promotion” focused only on individuals’ lifestyle and their increased autonomy and self-care management capacity. From this perspective, the apps analyzed in this paper differ from the “Meu Info-Saúde” application developed at Fiocruz.

scholarly journals Providers’ perspectives on adherence to hormonal therapy in breast cancer survivors. Is there a role for the digital health feedback system?

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Hurtado-de-Mendoza ◽  
Mark L. Cabling ◽  
Asma Dilawari ◽  
Jeanine Warisse Turner ◽  
Nicole C. Fernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Hormonal Therapy ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Feedback System

scholarly journals Are long-term cancer survivors and physicians discussing health promotion and healthy behaviors?

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Kenzik ◽  
Maria Pisu ◽  
Mona N. Fouad ◽  
Michelle Y. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Healthy Behaviors

Simple Strategies for Vaginal Health Promotion in Cancer Survivors

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 549-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne Carter ◽  
Deborah Goldfrank ◽  
Leslie R. Schover
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Vaginal Health

scholarly journals Physical Activity, Mental Health and Technology Preferences for Support during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Report of Cancer Survivors (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie M Faro ◽  
Kristin M Mattocks ◽  
Catherine S Nagawa ◽  
Stephenie C Lemon ◽  
Bo Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Physical Activity Programs

BACKGROUND COVID-19 has had significant health and behavioral impacts on populations worldwide. Cancer survivors are at particular risk of changes in behavioral patterns, as they were encouraged to be more vigilant and observe stricter social distancing guidelines. OBJECTIVE We explored 1) changes in physical activity/sedentary behaviors since COVID-19, and mental health status, 2) alternative strategies to support the survivors’ physical activity and social support during and after COVID-19 including the role of digital health. METHODS A survey was distributed to cancer survivors participating (currently or in the past) in a community-based physical activity program, LIVESTRONG at the Y. Questions addressed pre-COVID vs. current changes in physical activity and sedentary time. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the GAD-2 and PHQ-2 with scores ≥3 classified as clinically diagnosed anxiety/depression. Digital health preferences were assessed using closed ended questions. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Open-ended responses addressing other preferences for physical activity programs and social support were analyzed, coded and categorized into themes. RESULTS Of the 61 participants, (mean age=62 ± 10.4; female=83.6%), 67.2% reported performing less physical activity and 67.2% reported sitting more since COVID-19 began. For the GAD-2 and PHQ-2, 24.6% and 26.2% met the criteria for clinical anxiety and depression, respectively. All participants (100%) reported having a cellphone; 90% had a smartphone. Preferences reported for physical activity programming (n=28) included three themes: 1) Use of digital/remote platforms (Zoom, online, videos), 2) Specific activities and locations (e.g. outdoors, walking, gardening, biking, YMCA, senior centers) and 3) Social support is important regardless of the type of activity (e.g. family, friends, peers and coaches). Participants reported a mean score of 71.8 ± 21.4 (scale 0-100) for importance of social support during physical activity programs. Social support preferences (n=15) included three themes: 1) Support from remote platforms (e.g. text messaging, Zoom, phone calls, emails and Facebook), 2) Tangible support in person (YMCA, Senior Center), and 3) Social support with no specific platform (e.g. small groups and family/friend visits). CONCLUSIONS Since the start of COVID-19, cancer survivors in our study have experienced decreased physical activity and increased sedentary time. Depression and anxiety were reported by one-quarter of respondents. Both physical activity and mental health are critical factors in survivor’s quality of life, and interventions tailored to survivors’ preferences for activity are necessary. Digital remote physical activity programs with added social support may be a promising way to address ongoing needs during and after the pandemic.

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