mHealth Technology as a Help Tool during Breast Cancer Treatment: A Content Focus Group.

PURPOSE: To assess the usability and preferences of the contents of mHealth software developed for breast cancer patients as a tool to obtain patient-reported outcomes (PROMs), improve the patient's knowledge about the disease and its side effects, increase adherence to treatment, and facilitate communication with the doctor. INTERVENTION: an mHealth tool called the Xemio app provides side effect tracking, social calendars, and a personalized and trusted disease information platform to deliver evidence-based advice and education for breast cancer patients. METHOD: A qualitative research study using semi-structured focus groups was conducted and evaluated. This involved a group interview and a cognitive walking test using Android devices, with the participation of breast cancer survivors. RESULTS: The ability to track side effects and the availability of reliable content were the main benefits of using the application. The ease of use and the method of interaction were the primary concerns; however, all participants agreed that the application would be beneficial to users. Finally, participants expressed their expectations of being informed by their healthcare providers about the launch of the Xemio app. CONCLUSION: Participants perceived the need for reliable health information and its benefits through an mHealth app. Therefore, applications for breast cancer patients must be designed with accessibility as a key consideration.

Assessment of the e-Answers Initiative, a New Model for Response by Email to Scientific Information Requests Carried Out by the Medical Information Service of Novartis Pharmaceuticals in Spain: Results of an Internal Satisfaction Survey.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate internal customer satisfaction with the Medical Information Service of Novartis Farmacéutica after changing to a new model of response by email to scientific information requests (the e-Answers initiative). METHODS: A survey, conducted 3 months after the e-Answers initiative was implemented, was designed to determine the profile of each respondent and included 10 multiple-choice questions on user satisfaction. A 7-point Likert-type scale was used whenever possible. RESULTS: A total of 97 responses (50.5%) were analyzed. Overall satisfaction with the change was favorable for 94% of respondents, and 94% and 97% of respondents evaluated favorably the elimination of paper load and the decrease in environmental impact, respectively. Satisfaction with response time since implementing the new model was positive for 91% of the respondents. CONCLUSION: In this anonymous survey with high participation of service users, the e-Answers initiative was evaluated positively.