AcknowledgementsStaff and patients from Teenage Cancer Trust, NHSGGC.

ConclusionWe are the first to design an NHS patient app in GGC. We consider this to be the first iteration of our cancer app. The options selected by patients for inclusion in an app will inform updates. It is recognised that electronic options are not suitable or desirable for all patients and patients will still have the choice to use the paper SACT record.

The app was designed to be easily maintained and updated. It will be presented to the Directorate in Autumn 2015 and if final approval given, launched by end of 2015.

AimTo design, test and evaluate a Smartphone application for patients receiving SACT to view and record:

•medicines

•toxicity and side effects

•appointments and clinical visits

and,

To ascertain if a sample of patients receiving SACT:

•have a Smartphone

•would use a purpose designed cancer app

•and ask what they would record using the app

Fiona MacLean1, Liam McCann2, Marilyn Lennon2 , Mark Mochan3.1Pharmacy NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, 2Department of Computing Science University of Strathclyde, 3IT Support NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde

IntroductionPatients receiving systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (GGC) are given a paper diary to record treatments, appointments and critical test results. Some patients said that it was difficult to keep medicines reconciled, especially complex haemato-oncology regimens.

An opportunity to collaborate with the computing science department at the University of Strathclyde (UoS) to develop Smartphone patient apps arose and, in 2014, a 4th year student was commissioned to design a patient app for cancer patients. This was the first patient app developed by GGC clinical staff and some exploratory research was undertaken to gain patient stories.

A "wish list" for a cancer app was written with the intention to design a dynamic electronic tool to support patients undergoing SACT. This was over ambitious given the timeframe (6 months) and resources (£0). The specification was modified to include: record and view side effects and appointments and enter details of visits to A&E, out of hours GP and community pharmacist.

ResultsApp testing

Testing was carried out on TCT patients (n=6), non-healthcare professionals (n=3) and students (n=4). Testing was done on a tablet, Smartphone and PC and the maximum score was 38.

The average rating of the app by patients was 33.6/38, 88% satisfaction, with an overall rating of 92% when all the scores were combined.

Table 1: App testing scores

Patient questionnaire

112 patient questionnaires were issued; 68 were returned, response rate of 60.7%. The patients were: lung cancer (n=13), breast cancer (n=38), prostate cancer (n=8), lymphoma (n=3) and anonymous (n= 6). The age range was 43-84years.

30 respondents (44%) used a Smartphone and 27 (39%) said they would use an app designed to record information about medicines.

7 options were offered as examples of data which might be recorded on an app and the respondents were asked Yes/No.

App screen shots

Design and evaluation of an App for patients with cancer: the Wellness Tracker

MethodPatient stories

4 patients in Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) ward were interviewed to identify gaps that the app might fill, and to understand functionality issues on ability to swipe/type. A final specification was agreed and we called it the Wellness Tracker as the ethos is patient empowerment and self management. The app works across multiple platforms including iOS, Android, Windows and Blackberry.

App testing

A self-completed 10 question 5- point

scale questionnaire was used to test

the app. This tests usability and system

capability. TCT patients were invited

to attend a testing session in the TCT

patient lounge.

Patient questionnaire

A patient questionnaire was

designed, piloted and implemented

between November 2014-May 2015 in a

mix of lung, breast, urology and

haemato-oncology day case patients. Convenience sampling was used. Patients self completed the questionnaire. They were asked:

•if they had a Smartphone

•if they used apps

•would they consider using a purpose designed cancer app

•What might they want to record using the app (7 options plus other, see Table 2).

App optionsn=27

Yes No No response

A list of your medicines 24 2 1

The common side effects 20 6 1

Your side effects 22 4 1

Contact telephone numbers 25 1 1

Appointment dates 23 3 1

A treatment timetable 24 2 1

Test results e.g. blood counts 20 6 1

View 2: Display side effects View 1: Record side effects

Table 2: Options to include in the app