Berkowitz Callie M, Zullig Leah L, Koontz Bridget F, Smith Sophia K
Callie M. Berkowitz, Leah L. Zullig, and Sophia K. Smith, Duke University; Leah L. Zullig, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System; and Bridget F. Koontz and Sophia K. Smith, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC.
JCO Clin Cancer Inform. 2017 Nov;1:1-7. doi: 10.1200/CCI.17.00107.
Although there are over 500 mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) available for download in the field of oncology, little research has addressed their acceptability among health care providers. In addition, the providers' perspectives regarding patient app use has been largely unexamined. We conducted a qualitative study to explore opportunities and barriers for mHealth app use for oncology care.
We developed a structured interview guide focusing on acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and sustainability of the use of apps in cancer care. We interviewed 15 oncology providers about their attitudes and preferences. De-identified audio recordings were transcribed and coded for emerging themes.
Providers interviewed included physicians (n = 8) and advanced practice (n = 3) and supportive services (n = 4) providers who care for a wide range of cancer types; ages ranged from 32 to 68 years. Interviews lasted approximately 30 minutes. Oncology providers reported limited exposure to mHealth apps in patient care, but were generally open to recommending or prescribing apps in the future. Key themes included opportunities for mobile app use (including general health promotion, tracking symptoms, and engaging patients) and barriers to implementation (including access to technology, responsibility, workflow, and the source of the app itself).
Our results show openness among oncology providers to using mHealth technology as part of patient care, but concerns regarding implementation. Designing acceptable apps may be challenging and require involvement of key stakeholders, partnering with trustworthy institutions, and outcome-based research.
尽管肿瘤学领域有500多种移动医疗（mHealth）应用程序（app）可供下载，但针对医疗服务提供者对其接受程度的研究却很少。此外，提供者对于患者使用app的看法在很大程度上也未得到审视。我们进行了一项定性研究，以探索在肿瘤护理中使用mHealth app的机会和障碍。
我们制定了一份结构化访谈指南，重点关注app在癌症护理中使用的可接受性、适宜性、可行性和可持续性。我们采访了15名肿瘤学提供者，了解他们的态度和偏好。对去识别化的录音进行转录并编码以找出新出现的主题。
接受采访的提供者包括医生（n = 8）、高级执业人员（n = 3）和支持服务人员（n = 4），他们护理各种癌症类型的患者；年龄在32岁至68岁之间。访谈持续约30分钟。肿瘤学提供者报告说在患者护理中接触mHealth app的机会有限，但总体上对未来推荐或开出处方使用app持开放态度。关键主题包括移动应用使用的机会（包括一般健康促进、症状跟踪和患者参与）以及实施障碍（包括技术获取、责任、工作流程和应用程序本身的来源）。
我们的结果表明，肿瘤学提供者愿意将mHealth技术作为患者护理的一部分来使用，但对实施存在担忧。设计可接受的应用程序可能具有挑战性，需要关键利益相关者的参与、与可信赖机构的合作以及基于结果的研究。
