Leveraging mobile health technology and research methodology to optimize patient education and self-management support for advanced cancer pain

Purpose Patient education is critical for management of advanced cancer pain, yet the benefits of psychoeducational interventions have been modest. We used mobile health (mHealth) technology to better meet patients' needs. Methods Using the Agile and mHealth Development and Evaluation Frameworks, a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, patients, and design specialists followed a four-phase iterative process to develop comprehensive, tailored, multimedia cancer pain education for a patient-facing smartphone application. The target population reviewed the content and provided feedback. Results The resulting application provides comprehensive cancer pain education spanning pharmacologic and behavioral aspects of self-management. Custom graphics, animated videos, quizzes, and audio-recorded relaxations complemented written content. Computable algorithms based upon daily symptom surveys were used to deliver brief, tailored motivational messages that linked to more comprehensive teaching. Patients found the combination of pharmacologic and behavioral support to be engaging and helpful. Conclusion Digital technology can be used to provide cancer pain education that is engaging and tailored to individual needs. A replicable interdisciplinary and patient-centered approach to intervention development was advantageous. mHealth interventions may be a scalable approach to improve cancer pain. Frameworks that merge software and research methodology can be useful in developing interventions.

Automated summary

The study developed a comprehensive and tailored multimedia cancer pain education smartphone application using mobile health technology. Patients found the combination of daily symptom surveys and computable algorithms providing tailored motivational messages, along with pharmacologic and behavioral support, engaging and helpful. Digital technology, interdisciplinary approaches, and patient-centered interventions can be advantageous in improving cancer pain management.