Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Cancer
Date Submitted: Aug 14, 2025
Date Accepted: Jan 19, 2026
Date Submitted to PubMed: Feb 12, 2026
Scan, Screen, Support - A Digital Pathway to Assess Supportive Care Needs in Oncology: An Implementation Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Digital patient-reported outcome (ePRO) tools have the potential to enhance supportive care in oncology and support timely and accurate identification of patients' needs.
Objective:
This study aimed to develop and implement a standardized digital screening tool designed to enable cancer patients at a German Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC München LMU) to readily access supportive care while simultaneously ensuring seamless integration with the hospital information system (HIS). To ensure a smooth transition, challenges and facilitators related to digital implementation in clinical routine were evaluated in parallel.
Methods:
An interdisciplinary team collaborated with the Information Technology (IT) department and the company CANKADO, an ePRO provider, to create a 14-item digital questionnaire. The tool incorporated validated instruments, such as the Distress Thermometer, the Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS), and a short form of the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS), aligned with German Cancer Society certification criteria. Patients accessed the questionnaire via Quick Response (QR) codes. Screening results were automatically transferred to the HIS, where supportive care requests (SCRs) were generated automatically if indicated.
Results:
Between June 2024 and May 2025, a total of 8,855 QR codes were generated. 4,909 of the questionnaires were complete and valid for analysis. This information produced 3,324 SCRs. Digital screenings resulted in a SCR in 22.4% of cases for psycho-oncology, 18.7% for nutrition, and 27.6% for palliative care. The digital screening maintained or slightly improved screening rates compared to prior methods.
Conclusions:
The implementation of a digital supportive care screening was feasible and effective within the CCC setting. Future efforts focus on overcoming barriers for patients with limited digital access or capabilities to ensure delivery of equitable supportive care delivery.
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