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. 2012:2012:1340-9.
Epub 2012 Nov 3.

Probing the benefits of real-time tracking during cancer care

Rupa A Patel  1 , Predrag Klasnja, Andrea Hartzler, Kenton T Unruh, Wanda Pratt
Affiliations

Probing the benefits of real-time tracking during cancer care

Rupa A Patel et al. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2012.

Abstract

People with cancer experience many unanticipated symptoms and struggle to communicate them to clinicians. Although researchers have developed patient-reported outcome (PRO) tools to address this problem, such tools capture retrospective data intended for clinicians to review. In contrast, real-time tracking tools with visible results for patients could improve health outcomes and communication with clinicians, while also enhancing patients' symptom management. To understand potential benefits of such tools, we studied the tracking behaviors of 25 women with breast cancer. We provided 10 of these participants with a real-time tracking tool that served as a "technology probe" to uncover behaviors and benefits from voluntary use. Our findings showed that while patients' tracking behaviors without a tool were fragmented and sporadic, these behaviors with a tool were more consistent. Participants also used tracked data to see patterns among symptoms, feel psychosocial comfort, and improve symptom communication with clinicians. We conclude with design implications for future real-time tracking tools.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Health Weaver tracking feature screenshots: mobile check-in entry (left) and web-based tracking history graphing (right)
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Self-devised tracking tools used by P2: medication list in binder (left) and LiveStrong diary (right).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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