scholarly journals Personal Digital Assistant Data Capture: The Future of Quality of Life Measurement in Prostate Cancer Treatment

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew G. Matthew ◽  
Kristen L. Currie ◽  
Paul Ritvo ◽  
Robert Nam ◽  
Michael E. Nesbitt ◽  
...  

Purpose This article examines the potential use of personal digital assistant (PDA) data capture systems for real-time linear monitoring of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in prostate cancer research and clinical care. Methods We discuss the benefits and potential issues of using PDA data capture in the clinical health care setting. In addition, we describe the development and potential use of a PDA data capture system specific to managing HRQOL in prostate cancer treatment. Conclusion Follow-up health care clinics require a practical and systematic process of HRQOL data capture and analysis. Traditional paper questionnaire data capture is problematic. Data manipulation required for clinical decision-making is impractical for patient feedback on same-day clinic visits. Furthermore, the process of transforming paper questionnaire data to analysis-quality data can compromise data integrity. In contrast, research findings confirm the acceptability, ease of use, and reliability of PDAs in capturing data across health care settings, including the collection of serial HRQOL data. The main concern for PDA capture systems is the ability to compare respondent's answers between the paper and PDA questionnaire. Other challenges included patients reporting a lack of computer literacy and/or poor eyesight, as well as initial start-up costs. If issues are successfully addressed, the use of a PDA data capture system, such as the PDA HRQOL system at Princess Margaret Hospital's Prostate Centre, allows for valid and economical data collection with the possibility of linear real-time measurement of changes in HRQOL. Accordingly, there appears to be significant potential for PDA data collection of serial HRQOL in prostate cancer clinic settings.

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. e219-e228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie R. Reading ◽  
Kimberly R. Porter ◽  
Jeffrey M. Slezak ◽  
Teresa N. Harrison ◽  
Joy S. Gelfond ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Ángel Amor-García ◽  
Roberto Collado-Borrell ◽  
Vicente Escudero-Vilaplana ◽  
Alejandra Melgarejo-Ortuño ◽  
Ana Herranz-Alonso ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The large number of available cancer apps and their impact on the population necessitates a transparent, objective, and comprehensive evaluation by app experts, health care professionals, and users. To date, there have been no analyses or classifications of apps for patients with genitourinary cancers, which are among the most prevalent types of cancer. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to analyze the quality of apps for patients diagnosed with genitourinary cancers using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) and identify high-quality apps. METHODS We performed an observational cross-sectional descriptive study of all smartphone apps for patients diagnosed with genitourinary cancers available on iOS and Android platforms. In July 2019, we searched for all available apps for patients with genitourinary cancers (bladder, prostate, cervical, uterine, endometrial, kidney, testicular, and vulvar) or their caregivers. Apps were downloaded and evaluated, and the general characteristics were entered into a database. The evaluation was performed by 2 independent researchers using the MARS questionnaire, which rates 23 evaluation criteria clustered in 5 domains (Engagement, Functionality, Esthetics, Information, and Subjective Quality) on a scale from 1 to 5. RESULTS In total, 46 apps were analyzed. Of these, 31 (67%) were available on Android, 6 (13%) on iOS, and 9 (20%) on both platforms. The apps were free in 89% of cases (41/46), and 61% (28/46) had been updated in the previous year. The apps were intended for prostate cancer in 30% of cases (14/46) and cervical cancer in 17% (8/46). The apps were mainly informative (63%, 29/46), preventive (24%, 11/46), and diagnostic (13%, 6/46). Only 7/46 apps (15%) were developed by health care organizations. The mean MARS score for the overall quality of the 46 apps was 2.98 (SD 0.77), with a maximum of 4.63 and a minimum of 1.95. Functionality scores were quite similar for most of the apps, with the greatest differences in Engagement and Esthetics, which showed acceptable scores in one-third of the apps. The 5 apps with the highest MARS score were the following: “Bladder cancer manager,” “Kidney cancer manager,” “My prostate cancer manager,” “Target Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Diary,” and “My Cancer Coach.” We observed statistically significant differences in the MARS score between the operating systems and the developer types (<i>P</i>&lt;.001 and <i>P</i>=.01, respectively), but not for cost (<i>P</i>=.62). CONCLUSIONS MARS is a helpful methodology to decide which apps can be prescribed to patients and to identify which features should be addressed to improve these tools. Most of the apps designed for patients with genitourinary cancers only try to provide data about the disease, without coherent interactivity. The participation of health professionals in the development of these apps is low; nevertheless, we observed that both the participation of health professionals and regular updates were correlated with quality.


2017 ◽  
pp. 24-45
Author(s):  
Juliana Genova ◽  
Curtis A. Olson ◽  
Jackie Bender

Introduction: The communication quality of web resources for patients is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess prostate cancer websites using the Communication AssessmenT Checklist in Health (CATCH). Methods: CATCH is a theory-based tool consisting of 50 elements nested in 12 concepts. Two raters independently applied it to 35 HON certified websites containing information on prostate cancer treatment. Results: Websites contained a mean 24.1 (SD= 3.6) CATCH items. The concepts Language, Readability, Layout, Typography and Appearance were present in over 80% of sites. Content, Risk Communication, Usefulness, and Scientific Value were present in 50% or less. Discussion: The prostate cancer websites evaluated in this study did not present treatment information in a useful, informative or credible way for patients. The communication quality of these resources could be improved with a clear strategic intent focused on decision-making, using CATCH as a guiding framework.


Brachytherapy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. S70
Author(s):  
Ken Nakamura ◽  
Shin Koike ◽  
Noriaki Santo ◽  
Ryo Yabusaki ◽  
Keisuke Aoki ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 143-143
Author(s):  
Jeremy L. Millar ◽  
Susan M. Evans ◽  
Mark Frydenberg ◽  
Declan G. Murphy ◽  
Damien M. Bolton ◽  
...  

143 Background: We aimed to use a population based quality registry established in Australia, to review patient-reported health-related QOL after the diagnosis of Prostate Cancer (PCa). Methods: Prospective registry of men with PCa from statutory notifications to the canonical population-based cancer registry in Victoria. An "opt-off" mechanism used. Coverage expanded from 30%-80% of State population over time. Demographics and disease features, management, and outcomes from medical record; men phoned at 12 and 24 months (m), interviewed with script including SF12 and items from standard form (UCLA PCI) for specific QOL outcomes. Urinary, rectal, and sexual function bother (UB, RB, and SB) scores where analysed by univariate and multivariable modelling for relationship of these with presentation or management factors, adjusting for risk. Results: Men from 8/2008 - 2/2011; 1.9% of eligible opted out. Followed 1172 to 12 & 24 m. Median diagnosis age 65 yr; median PSA 6.8 ng/mL; 97.3% clinically localised with 47.7% having NCCN intermediate risk. 520 had treatment with Radical Prostatectomy (RP) (89 also with external beam-EBRT), 171 had EBRT (with or without HDR brachy), and 211 seed implant (SI). 226 had no treatment (NT) in the first 12 m. 52.5% managed in public hospitals, rest private. Univariate analysis: UB associated with management type, and hospital type, and RB and SB associated with these factors, as well as age and disease stage. On multivariate regression SB at 12 m was associated with increasing age (p=0.002) and radical treatment types (RP and EBRT/HDR, p<0.001 and 0.003 respectively)—except SI—compared to NT; RB was associated with SI (0.02) and EBRT/HDR (0.007) and treatment in a public hospital (0.006); and UB was associated with public hospital (<0.001). All associations at 12 m remained significant at 24 m. SF12 physical score had a positive association with RP vs NT (0.014), hospital type (0.001) and younger age. SF12 mental health also showed associations. Conclusions: A large scale registry in Australia assessing patient-reported quality of life outcomes after prostate cancer treatment shows patterns similar to that seen in North American reports.


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