Design and Evaluation of a Mobile Application for Patients with Gynecological Cancers

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 PhD in Nursing, Associate Professor, Community-Oriented Nursing Midwifery Research Center, Department of Adult and Geriatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

2 MSc in Medical-surgical Nursing, Cancer Research Center, Student Research Committee, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

10.48305/jims.v42.i772.0518

Abstract

Background: Patients diagnosed with gynecological cancers often face a range of complications. Utilizing mobile phone applications has the potential to enhance awareness and improve health outcomes for these patients. This study aims to design and evaluate a mobile phone application tailored for patients with gynecological cancers.
Methods: This descriptive-applied study was conducted in three phases. The first phase involved identifying the educational needs of patients diagnosed with gynecological cancers through a review of relevant literature. The second phase focused on the design of the mobile phone application, and the third phase was the evaluation of the application via a “QUIS” questionnaire administered to ten information technology experts and faculty members of health information technology.
Findings: The mobile application "Shafayar" offers both online and offline access. Its main menu comprises personal and clinical information management, weekly reports, a virtual clinic, relaxation techniques, yoga, and meditation. Evaluators using the QUIS questionnaire rated the application highly, with an average score of 8.42 out of 9, which was considered as good. The terminology and system information sections were particularly well-received.
Conclusion: Given the patients' need for appropriate educational resources and the limitations of in-person training methods, using a mobile application as an accessible and cost-effective approach can be beneficial. Therefore, this method is recommended for nursing managers, healthcare providers, and physicians.

Highlights

Fatemeh Aliakbari: Google Scholar, PubMed

Shahram Etemadifar: Google Scholar, PubMed

Pardis Doosti: Google Scholar, PubMed

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, Bray F. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin 2021; 71(3): 209-49.
  2. Gorshkov K, Sima N, Sun W, Lu B, Huang W, Travers J, et al. Quantitative chemotherapeutic profiling of gynecologic cancer cell lines using approved drugs and bioactive compounds. Transl Oncol 2019; 12(3): 441-52.
  3. Siegel RL, Miller KD, Wagle NS, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2023. CA Cancer J Clin 2023; 73(1): 17-48.
  4. Ferlay J, Colombet M, Soerjomataram I, Parkin DM, Piñeros M, Znaor A, et al. Cancer statistics for the year 2020: An overview. Int J Cancer 2021; 149(4): 778-89.
  5. Hsu H-C, Tsai S-Y, Wu S-L, Jeang S-R, Ho M-Y, Liou W-S, et al. Longitudinal perceptions of the side effects of chemotherapy in patients with gynecological cancer. Support Care Cancer 2017; 25(11): 3457-64.
  6. Lee JT, Kuo H-Y, Huang K-G, Lin J-R, Chen M-L. Diversity of sexual activity and correlates among women with gynecological cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2020; 159(2): 503-8.
  7. Shirali E, Yarandi F, Behtash N, Hemmatian O. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in cervical cancer: a review article. J Obstet Gynecol Cancer Res 2022; 3(2): 87-91.
  8. Afiyanti Y. The quality of life of Indonesian women with gynecological cancer. Enfermería ClíNica 2020; 30(Suppl 7): 65-9.
  9. Ghamari D, Dehghanbanadaki H, Khateri S, Nouri E, Baiezeedi S, Azami M, et al. The prevalence of depression and anxiety in women with ovarian cancer: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2023; 24(10): 3315-25.
  10. Ma’rifah AR, Afiyanti Y, Huda MH, Chipojola R, Putri YR, Nasution MT. Effectiveness of psychoeducation intervention among women with gynecological cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30(10): 8271-85.
  11. Bober SL, Recklitis CJ, Michaud AL, Wright AA. Improvement in sexual function after ovarian cancer: effects of sexual therapy and rehabilitation after treatment for ovarian cancer. Cancer 2018; 124(1): 176-82.
  12. Saeidzadeh S, Kamalumpundi V, Chi N-C, Nair R, Gilbertson-White S. Web and mobile-based symptom management interventions for physical symptoms of people with advanced cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Palliat Med 2021; 35(6): 1020-38.
  13. Paterson C, Bacon R, Dwyer R, Morrison KS, Toohey K, O'Dea A, et al. The role of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic across the interdisciplinary cancer team: implications for practice. Semin Oncol Nurs 2020; 36(6): 151090.
  14. Sohrabei S, Atashi A. The impact of mobile health on breast cancer patient’s life and treatment: A systematic review. Frontiers in Health Informatics 2021; 10(1): 88.
  15. Fridriksdottir N, Gunnarsdottir S, Zoëga S, Ingadottir Bo, Hafsteinsdottir E. Effects of web-based interventions on cancer patients’ symptoms: review of randomized trials. Support Care Cancer 2018; 26(2): 337-51.
  16. Wang Y, Lin Y, Chen J, Wang C, Hu R, Wu Y. Effects of Internet-based psycho-educational interventions on mental health and quality of life among cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Support Care Cance 2020; 28(6): 2541-52.
  17. Schliemann D, Tan MM, Hoe WMK, Mohan D, Taib NA, Donnelly M, Su TT. mHealth interventions to improve cancer screening and early detection: scoping review of reviews. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24(8): e36316.
  18. Hankinson K, Shaykevich A, Vallence A-M, Rodger J, Rosenberg M, Etherton-Beer C. A tailored music-motor therapy and real-time biofeedback mobile phone app (‘GotRhythm’) to promote rehabilitation following stroke: a pilot study. Neurosci Insights 2022; 17: 26331055221100587.
  19. Lengacher CA, Reich RR, Ramesar S, Alinat CB, Moscoso M, Cousin L, et al. Feasibility of the mobile mindfulness‐based stress reduction for breast cancer (mMBSR (BC)) program for symptom improvement among breast cancer survivors. Psycho‐oncology 2018; 27(2): 524-31.
  20. Lopez G, Chaoul A, Warneke CL, Christie AJ, Powers-James C, Liu W, et al. Self-administered meditation application intervention for cancer patients with psychosocial distress: a pilot study. Integr Cancer Ther 2023; 22: 15347354221148710.
  21. Kazemi SM, Rakhshan M, Rivaz M, Izadi S. The effects of continuous care model using a smartphone application on adherence to treatment and self-efficacy among patients with multiple sclerosis. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2022; 22(1): 53.
  22. Bhatia S, Landier W, Paskett ED, Peters KB, Merrill JK, Phillips J, Osarogiagbon RU. Rural–urban disparities in cancer outcomes: opportunities for future research. J Natl Cancer Inst 2022; 114(7): 940-52.
  23. van Der Kruk SR, Butow P, Mesters I, Boyle T, Olver I, White K, et al. Psychosocial well-being and supportive care needs of cancer patients and survivors living in rural or regional areas: a systematic review from 2010 to 2021. Support Care Cancer 2022: 30(2): 1021-64.
  24. Shahmoradi L, Nilashi M, Ahmadi S, Rezayi S. Designing and evaluating an educational website for osteoarthritis. Applied Health Information Technology 2021; 2(2): 8-16.
  25. Mokhberdezfuli M, Ayatollahi H, Naser Moghadasi A. A smartphone‐based application for self‐management in multiple sclerosis. J Healthc Eng 2021; 2021: 6749951.
  26. Mohammadzadeh N, Ebrahimi N, Agah Heris M. Design and Evaluation of Mobile Application to Control Overweight with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Approach [in Persian]. Payavard 2022; 16(4): 362-72.
  27. Kinner EM, Armer JS, McGregor BA, Duffecy J, Leighton S, Corden ME, et al. Internet-based group intervention for ovarian cancer survivors: feasibility and preliminary results. JMIR Cancer 2018; 4(1): e1.
  28. Zhu J, Ebert L, Liu X, Wei D, Chan SW-C. Mobile breast cancer e-support program for Chinese women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy (part 2): multicenter randomized controlled trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2018; 6(4): e104.
Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 42, Issue 772
4th Week, August
July and August 2024
Pages 518-525

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 18 August 2024
  • Accept Date: 02 October 2024

Share

How to cite

Statistics