JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The expansion of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has transformed the way patients access health information and manage their disease. In oncology, the use of digital tools and mobile health (mHealth) has increased, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, although challenges remain regarding adoption, trust, and perceived utility.

Objective:

The objective was to evaluate the degree of use of information and communication technologies by patients with cancer undergoing antineoplastic and/or supportive therapies, their interest in the development of mobile applications (apps) for disease management, and to analyze the temporal evolution of these aspects in recent years.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional observational survey at a 1,300-bed university hospital (August–December 2023), administering a structured 31-item questionnaire to oncology patients receiving antineoplastic and/or supportive therapies. Importantly, the instrument replicates a prior 2017 survey, enabling a robust pre- versus post-pandemic comparison (PRE n=612; POST n=690). We performed descriptive and inferential analyses to assess temporal changes in ICT adoption, information-seeking behaviors, trust in online information, and preferences regarding health apps and communication channels with health care professionals.

Results:

Smartphone use increased from 82.5% to 91.0% (P<.001), and the proportion of patients with installed health apps rose from 20.3% to 53.9% (P<.001). Familiarity with technological terms and the use of connected devices also improved. However, full trust in online health information remained low (9.3%), with most patients reporting conditional trust depending on the reliability of the source. Preference for videoconferencing as a communication channel with healthcare professionals increased (from 19.0% to 32.0%), while the use of email and mobile apps for this purpose declined. Willingness to use apps recommended by healthcare professionals remained stable at approximately 78%.

Conclusions:

The use of ICTs and digital health tools among patients with cancer has increased significantly in recent years, driven in part by the pandemic. Nevertheless, barriers persist in terms of trust, usability, and alignment with patient preferences. Active user involvement and the improvement of digital health literacy are key to the effective and equitable integration of these technologies in oncological care.