Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Cancer
Date Submitted: Jul 10, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Jul 18, 2024 - Sep 12, 2024
Date Accepted: Dec 12, 2024
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Development and Implementation of a Personal Virtual Assistant for Patient Engagement and Communication in Post-Surgical Cancer Care: An Exploratory Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Cancer care complexity heightens communication challenges between healthcare providers and patients, impacting their treatment adherence. This is especially evident upon hospital discharge in patients undergoing surgical procedures. Digital health tools offer potential solutions to address communication challenges seen in current discharge protocols.
Objective:
We aim to evaluate the usability and acceptability of an interactive health platform among discharged patients who underwent oncology-related procedures
Methods:
A four-week observational study was conducted. Following hospital discharge, a tablet equipped with an integrated Personal Virtual Assistant (PVA) system was provided to patients who underwent oncology-related procedures. The PVA encompasses automated features that provide personalized care plans, developed through collaboration among clinicians, researchers, and engineers from various disciplines. These plans include guidance on daily specific assignments that were divided into 4 categories: medication intake, exercise, symptom surveys, and post-procedural specific tasks. The primary aim assessed the feasibility of the PVA by quantification of dropout rate <10%, and adherence to each care plan category throughout the study duration. The secondary aim assessed acceptability of the PVA via a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire that examined ease of use, usefulness, attitude towards use, and privacy concerns.
Results:
Seventeen patients were enrolled. However, 1/17 (5.8%) patients dropped out from the study after 3 days due to health deterioration, leaving 16/17 (94.2%) completing the study (54.5±12.7 years old, 52% Caucasian, 82% gynecological disease, 18% hepatobiliary disease). At the study endpoint, adherence to care plan categories were: 78% for medications, 81% for exercises, 61% for surveys, and 58% for tasks. There was an 80% patient endorsement (strongly agree + agree/very easy + easy) across all TAM categories.
Conclusions:
The PVA is a feasible and acceptable tool for discharged patients undergoing oncology-related procedures, showing reproducibility for a future clinical study assessing effectiveness.
Citation
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