Optimizing Health Information Technologies for Symptom Management in Cancer Patients and Survivors: Usability Evaluation (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Unmanaged cancer symptoms and treatment-related side effects can compromise long-term clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life. Health information technologies (HITs), such as web-based platforms, offer the possibility to supplement existing care and optimize symptom management. OBJECTIVE This paper describes the development and usability of a web-based symptom management platform for cancer patients and survivors that will be implemented within a large health system. METHODS A web-based symptom management platform was designed and evaluated via one-on-one usability testing sessions. The System Usability Scale (SUS), the After Scenario Questionnaire (ASQ), and qualitative analysis of a semi-structured interviews were used to assess program usability. RESULTS Ten cancer survivors and five cancer center staff members participated in usability testing sessions. The mean score on the SUS was 86.6 (SD = 14.0), indicating above average usability. The mean score on the ASQ was 2.5 (SD = 2.1), indicating relatively high satisfaction with the usability of the program. Qualitative analyses identified valued features of the program and recommendations for further improvements. CONCLUSIONS Cancer survivors and oncology providers reported high levels of acceptability and usability in the initial development of a web-based symptom management platform for cancer survivors. Future work will test the effectiveness of this web-based platform. CLINICALTRIAL