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Smartphone remote monitoring app to follow-up colorectal cancer survivors: a requirement analysis (Preprint)


 BACKGROUND
 Colorectal survivors face multiple challenges after discharge. eHealth may potentially support them by providing tools such as smartphone apps. They have lots of capabilities to exchange information and could be used for remote monitoring of these patients. 
 
 
 OBJECTIVE
 In this study, we addressed the required features for apps designed to follow-up colorectal cancer patients according to survivors' and clinical experts' views.
 
 
 METHODS
 A mixed method study was conducted. Features of related apps were extracted through the literature; the features were categorized and then they were modified. A questionnaire is designed containing the features listed and prioritized based on the MoSCoW (Must have, should have, could have, won’t have) technique and an open question for each category. The link to the questionnaire was shared among clinical experts in Iran. The answers were analyzed using CVR (Content validity ratio) and based on the value of this measure, the minimum feature set of a monitoring app for colorectal cancer patient’s follow-up was addressed. Also, a telephone interview with colorectal survivors was conducted to collect their viewpoints regarding a remote monitoring system for colorectal cancer cases.
 
 
 RESULTS
 The questionnaire contained ten sections evaluating nine categories of features. Eighteen experts filled the questionnaire. the minimum features of the app identified as patient information registration, sign and symptoms monitoring, education, reminders, and patient evaluation (0.42<CVR<0.85). Features including physical activity, personalized advice, and the social network did not get the minimum score (-0.11<CVR<0.39). Nine colorectal cancer survivors were interviewed. Information registration, sign and symptoms monitoring, education, and personalized advice were the features with high priority from the survivors’ perspective. Scheduling, shopping, and financial support features were emphasized by survivors in the interview. 
 
 
 CONCLUSIONS
 The requirements set could be used for designing an app for the targeted population. and/or patients affected by other cancers. As the views of both sides of survivors as clinical experts were considered in this study, the remote system may fulfill the need for follow up of survivors more strongly. This eases the patient and health care providers’ communication and interaction
 
 
 CLINICALTRIAL
 
