Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Medical Physics Unit - Gerald Bronfman, Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Support Care Cancer. 2021 Aug;29(8):4365-4374. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05900-4. Epub 2021 Jan 8.
Opal is a new patient-centered mobile application that gives cancer patients access to their real time medical data in conjunction with disease- and treatment-specific patient education material. Few studies have focused on patients' experiences with such mobile applications. This study's objectives were to (1) explore cancer patients' perceptions of accessing the educational materials through Opal and (2) explore their experiences using these educational materials.
A qualitative descriptive design was used. Patients were invited to participate in the study via Opal itself. Semi-structured individual interviews were done in person or over the phone, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
Nine women were interviewed. Three themes were identified as participants spoke about their perceptions of and experiences with Opal. First, Opal makes me feel like I have more control, conveying how learning more about their diagnosis and treatments allowed patients to advocate for themselves and plan their care. Second, Opal tends to reassure me, illustrating that having access to information was reassuring. Lastly, Opal is just starting to have information which could help meet my needs, reflecting patients' belief Opal is on the right track but could provide more of their medical record, treating team contact information and education material.
Patients can feel more empowered when using patient-centered mobile applications, and mobile applications have potential for improving collaboration with healthcare professionals and care coordination. Healthcare professionals, including oncologists and nurses, should support patients' use of mobile applications and integrate them in their patient interactions.
Opal 是一款新的以患者为中心的移动应用程序，使癌症患者能够实时访问他们的医疗数据，并结合疾病和治疗特定的患者教育材料。很少有研究关注患者对这类移动应用程序的体验。本研究的目的是：(1)探讨癌症患者对通过 Opal 访问教育材料的看法；(2)探讨他们使用这些教育材料的体验。
采用定性描述性设计。通过 Opal 本身邀请患者参与研究。通过面谈或电话进行半结构化的个体访谈，逐字转录并使用定性内容分析进行分析。
对 9 名女性进行了访谈。参与者在谈到他们对 Opal 的看法和使用体验时，确定了三个主题。首先，Opal 让我感觉我有更多的控制权，这表明更多地了解他们的诊断和治疗方案使患者能够为自己辩护并计划自己的护理。其次，Opal 倾向于让我安心，这表明获得信息是令人安心的。最后，Opal 才刚刚开始有可以满足我需求的信息，这反映了患者认为 Opal 正在走上正轨，但可以提供更多的病历、治疗团队的联系信息和教育材料。
患者在使用以患者为中心的移动应用程序时可能会感到更有力量，并且移动应用程序具有改善与医疗保健专业人员的协作和护理协调的潜力。医疗保健专业人员，包括肿瘤学家和护士，应支持患者使用移动应用程序，并将其整合到他们与患者的互动中。
