Severin Rodler1, Alexander Buchner2, Christian G Stief2, Volker Heinemann3, Michael Staehler2, Jozefina Casuscelli4. 1. Department of Urology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center München, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: severin.rodler@med.uni.muenchen.de. 2. Department of Urology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany. 3. Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center München, Munich, Germany. 4. Department of Urology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center München, Munich, Germany.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Digital technologies allow for the remote monitoring of cancer patients and thereby close an important care gap. Despite a variety of upcoming digital health-tech solutions, there is little knowledge on uro-oncologic patients' perception of digital technologies in clinical care and cancer trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was developed to evaluate patients' current use, preferences, and expectations of digital health technology. Patients receiving systemic treatment for urothelial, prostate, and renal-cell carcinoma were included during outpatient visits. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients undergoing systemic therapy for metastatic renal-cell, urothelial, or prostate cancer were included in the final analysis. Internet, smartphone, and wearable user rates were significantly higher in younger patients (100% user rate in age group 40-49 years vs. 38% in age group 80-89 years). Patients were more likely to use wearables in clinical trials when they received the generated data (2.9/5) than when they did not (2.3/5, P < .0001). Interest in activity data (3.7/5) was higher than sleeping data (2.7/5, P < .0001), but desire for sleeping data increases with advancement of treatment lines (3.9, P = .008). Patients prefer a digital follow-up every 2.6 days; younger patients and those receiving advanced therapy lines prefer less frequent follow-up (respectively, every 3.3 days, P = .050, and every 4.0 days, P = .0001). Patients allow a maximum of an average of 2.2 minutes daily for digital follow-up. CONCLUSION: We observed high engagement in digital technologies and interest in the data generated by digital devices. However, for the development of future health care applications, aspects such as patient age, gender, and therapy line need to be considered in uro-oncologic patients.
INTRODUCTION: Digital technologies allow for the remote monitoring of cancerpatients and thereby close an important care gap. Despite a variety of upcoming digital health-tech solutions, there is little knowledge on uro-oncologic patients' perception of digital technologies in clinical care and cancer trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was developed to evaluate patients' current use, preferences, and expectations of digital health technology. Patients receiving systemic treatment for urothelial, prostate, and renal-cell carcinoma were included during outpatient visits. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients undergoing systemic therapy for metastatic renal-cell, urothelial, or prostate cancer were included in the final analysis. Internet, smartphone, and wearable user rates were significantly higher in younger patients (100% user rate in age group 40-49 years vs. 38% in age group 80-89 years). Patients were more likely to use wearables in clinical trials when they received the generated data (2.9/5) than when they did not (2.3/5, P < .0001). Interest in activity data (3.7/5) was higher than sleeping data (2.7/5, P < .0001), but desire for sleeping data increases with advancement of treatment lines (3.9, P = .008). Patients prefer a digital follow-up every 2.6 days; younger patients and those receiving advanced therapy lines prefer less frequent follow-up (respectively, every 3.3 days, P = .050, and every 4.0 days, P = .0001). Patients allow a maximum of an average of 2.2 minutes daily for digital follow-up. CONCLUSION: We observed high engagement in digital technologies and interest in the data generated by digital devices. However, for the development of future health care applications, aspects such as patient age, gender, and therapy line need to be considered in uro-oncologic patients.