Celebrating World's Cancer Day with Pioneering Research
As we observe World's Cancer Day, I wanted to pause and reflect on the amazing progress being taken in the field of oncology research, particularly through the use of advanced digital platforms like Avicenna.
At Avicenna, we're proud that our work is being used to empower researchers to better understand and improve patient care in real-time. Avicenna has facilitated participation in oncology research by offering smartphone apps and websites tailored for participants, and in turn reduce their burden albeit slightly. In this blog post, we highlight three remarkable studies conducted using our platform, each making significant contributions to cancer care.
1. Telehealth Serious Illness Care for Hematologic Malignancies
The first study, titled "Telehealth Serious Illness Care Program for Older Adults with Hematologic Malignancies: a Aingle-Arm Pilot Study," addresses the challenges faced by older adults diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Using Avicenna, researchers implemented a telehealth-delivered Serious Illness Care Program (SICP) to facilitate serious illness conversations (SICs) in the comfort of the patients' homes. The study demonstrated high feasibility and usability, with significant improvements in patients' disease understanding and preparedness for future healthcare decisions. This innovative approach not only enhances patient comfort but also strengthens the patient-clinician relationship, showcasing the potential of telehealth in serious illness care.
2. The PRO-RCC Study: A Cohort for Renal Cell Carcinoma
One of the under-explored topics in oncology research is patient experience, specifically with respect to pain and fatigue. Our second featured research, "The PRO-RCC Study: A Long-Term PROspective Renal Cell Carcinoma Cohort in the Netherlands," discusses the presents a Dutch cohort of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The study focuses on collecting long-term clinical data, patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient reported experience measures (PREMs). This nationwide collaboration aims to answer pressing questions in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), by enabling the collection of comprehensive data and facilitating this innovative study designs.
3. PROfeel: Tailoring Care for Adolescents with Chronic Conditions
The third study, "Internet and Amartphone-Based Ecological Momentary Assessment and Personalized Advice (PROfeel) in Adolescents with Chronic Conditions," focuses on adolescents living with chronic diseases, including those post-cancer treatment. Through the use of EMA via our platform, researchers collected real-time data on fatigue and other symptoms, enabling personalized care and symptom management. The feasibility and usefulness of the PROfeel program were confirmed, highlighting the significance of integrating patient's daily life experiences into clinical care and decision-making.
Towards a Cancer-Free World
These studies exemplify the transformative potential of digital health tools in oncology research and patient care. By facilitating real-time data collection and personalized interventions, our platform is at the forefront of empowering researchers and healthcare professionals to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. As we commemorate World's Cancer Day, we're reminded of the importance of innovation in the ongoing battle against cancer. Avicenna is committed to continuing our support for groundbreaking research that leads to better outcomes for patients worldwide.
Let's continue to work together to turn hope into action and make every day a step towards a cancer-free world.