The provision of prostate cancer patient information leaflets on an electronic tablet: A further step to paperless health-care provision

Abstract

Introduction: The provision of patient information leaflets (PILs) for cancer treatment options is primarily via a paper format. PILs can now be provided on an electronic tablet with the added benefits of providing audio-visual information.

Materials and methods: Between February 2017 and August 2019, 112 patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer (PCa) were enrolled into our prospective cohort study. The control group (n = 56) were all given PILs on a paper as the standard of care (SoC). The intervention (tablet) group (n = 56) were given the same paper PILs as that of the control group plus an electronic tablet computer with an application containing all SoC paper PILs in an electronic format and supplementary videos detailing treatments. Both groups were asked to complete a validated questionnaire (Telemedicine, Satisfaction and Usefulness questionnaire) with regard to satisfaction with care, provided information, and tablet usage.

Results: The response rate for our study was 78/112 (70%). The control and tablet groups were highly satisfied with their care (91%-100% agreed or strongly agreed) and with the information they received (80%-100% agreed or strongly agreed). In the tablet group, 41/46 (89%) reported its utilization. Of those 41, 38 (92%) considered the tablet easy to use and 13 (32%) reported a preference for the paper format.

Conclusions: The provision of electronic PILs in PCa treatment is an innovative method of providing oncological care, with positive feedback from our patients. With further development as a mobile application, electronic PILs may allow a more environmentally and fiscally advantageous method of providing PCa care.

Keywords: Electronic tablet; environment; patient information leaflets; telemedicine.