Mobile app helps physicians improve communication for advance care planning
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Key takeaways:
- Improvement noted in oncologists’ empathic behavior scores with use of mobile app.
- Data on quality of care still needed, according to researchers.
CHICAGO — An application-based intervention improved communication about advance care planning between oncologists and patients with advanced cancers, according to randomized study results presented at ASCO Annual Meeting.
Researchers also observed a positive impact on patients’ satisfaction levels with advance care planning.
“A mobile app-based program designed to prompt advance care planning discussion was useful, because it improved the oncologists’ empathetic communication behavior, which was the primary outcome of the study,” Kyoko Obama, RN, PhD, of the National Cancer Center’s Institute for Cancer Control in Tokyo, said during a presentation. “The program was also safe for patients since no increase in psychological distress was observed.”
Background and methodology
Patients may often find it difficult to express their values in life and preferences for treatment and care during outpatient visits, leaving little time for advance care planning.
Researchers conducted a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile app-based program intended to promote patient questions about advanced care planning.
Eligible patients included individuals 20 years of age and older with advanced cancer and physician-estimated life expectancy of 1 year or less.
Researchers randomly assigned 264 patients (mean age, 61 years; 70% women) in a 1:1 ratio to either the app-based program or usual care.
Patients in the app-based cohort completed three steps: selecting questions to ask their oncologist, organizing their values and preferences, and preparing for such a discussion.
An assigned score of the oncologist’s empathic communication when discussing advanced care planning in outpatient clinics served as the study’s primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported psychological distress and satisfaction with the oncologists’ response to patient needs.
Results, next steps
Researchers reported significantly higher oncologist empathic behavior scores in the advance care planning group (19.6; 95% CI, 17.9-21.3) compared with the usual care group (12; 95% CI, 10.3-13.7).
Patients in the advance care planning group reported higher satisfaction with oncologists’ responses than the usual care group (mean score, 9.3 vs. 8.9) during consultation, with no significant differences between the groups in psychological distress.
“The program was safe for patients, since no increase in psychological distress was observed, and there was a positive impact on patients’ satisfaction with the discussion,” Obama said during the presentation. “It is necessary to confirm the impact on the quality of care, and we are currently examining other long-term outcomes.”
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Obama K, et al. Abstract 12001. Presented at: ASCO Annual Meeting 2024; May 30–June 4; Chicago.
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