ASyMS Meso study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Real time symptom assessment using the Advanced Symptom Management System (ASyMS) for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)
IRAS ID
216630
Contact name
Roma Maguire
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Strathclyde
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
There are many side effects arising out of a diagnosis of mesothelioma for patients and family members; in particular patients suffer with pain, breathlessness, tiredness, sweating, loss of appetite, nausea and weight loss, which can be present from early on in the illness. The study aims to adapt a remote monitoring application called the Advanced Symptom Management System (ASyMS) for people with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and to determine the feasibility and acceptability of integrating ASyMS into oncology care delivery. A variety of mixed methods will be used to collect information from patients and health care practitioners. In the first phase of the study we will talk to health care professionals, patients and their carers (using focus groups/interviews) about which symptoms they think should be monitored using ASyMS. The second phase of the study involves patients recording their symptoms on a daily basis using the ASyMS mobile phone system, which will send alerts to their health professionals if any of the symptoms reported are of concern. The health professionals on receipt of an alert will log on to a secure webpage to view the person’s symptom reports and will then call or text the patient back within 24 hours to offer further advice and care. Patients will also be provided with tailored self-care advice on their mobile phone relating to the symptoms that they have reported. The study also involves collecting information about the patient and the health care professional experience of using the system (interviews, questionnaires) and both patients and health care professional experience of a single point of contact for enhanced supportive care. At three times during the study information will be collected from patients about patient outcomes including quality of life, activities of daily living and experience of symptom alleviation.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
17/WS/0077
Date of REC Opinion
25 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion