Quimio Em Casa: Application for Family Members of Children and Adolescents Using Oral Antineoplastic Agents

Abstract

Objective: to develop and validate a mobile application for the guidance of family members of children and adolescents undergoing treatment with oral antineoplastic drugs. Method: this is methodological research developed in seven steps: search for themes through interviews with twenty-three family members of children and adolescents undergoing oral chemotherapy; theoretical study; mobile application development; validation with thirteen expert judges; adequacy; validation with twelve family members of children and adolescents undergoing oral chemotherapy and mobile application final adaptation. The interviews were analyzed using the Interface de R pour Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionneires software and validated with a Likert-type scale, considering validated items with a Concordance Index equal to or greater than 70%. Results: the application “Quimio em Casa” was returned with two interfaces, a desktop version aimed at health professionals and the application for family members of children and adolescents undergoing treatment with oral chemotherapy. The contents that guided the application development were storage, handling, administration, specific care for each chemotherapy agent, adverse effects, when to go to the emergency room and daily checking of administrations. The application was designed and validated with an adequacy Concordance Index of 96.7% among judges, and 100% by family members. Conclusion: the application proved to be valid as an educational technology in practical application with family members of children and adolescents undergoing oral chemotherapy.