Developing a symptom-tracking and support app for HNC patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Adaptation of the Advanced Symptom Management System for the Delivery of Supportive Care to People with Head and Neck Cancer
IRAS ID
328439
Contact name
Kate Hulse
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Strathclyde
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
Head and Neck cancer (HNC) is the 5th most common cancer type in Scotland. Treatment usually involves surgery, which may include removal of the voice box (laryngectomy)and radiotherapy. These treatments have significant side-effects which can last a long time or even for life. Patients with HNC are looked after by multiple health professionals including Surgeons, Oncologists, Cancer Nurse Specialists (CNS), Speech and Language Therapists and Dieticians. After completing treatment, patients are seen for follow-up every 2-6 months. This is often in a busy clinic with the focus being detecting recurrent cancer. Between appointments we rely on patients flagging up issues to the team (usually via the CNS).
There is good evidence that digital interventions such as smartphone applications can be used to provide effective healthcare. These kinds of digital health tools can support routine care, expand services and/or provide a service where none currently exist. They can do this without significantly increasing the number of staff or resources required. Digital health tools can be available to patients at home, whenever needed. There are no such digital health tools for HNC used in the UK.
The Advanced Symptom Management System (ASyMS) is a smartphone-based application which has been tested in patients with other types of cancer receiving chemotherapy. In this project we aim to adapt ASyMS to address the specific and unique problems experienced by patients with HNC following treatment. We hope the tool will provide an easy way for patients to report new symptoms so their clinical teams can act on them quickly. The ASyMS-HNC app will provide advice for managing symptoms at home based on patients’ particular needs. We know that the presence of some symptoms after treatment for HNC may indicate the cancer has returned therefore the app could act as a early warning system and trigger review.REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
24/WS/0054
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion