Access to an mHealth Tool for Symptom Management in Pediatric Oncology Care: Triangulation Study.

BACKGROUND

Digital health offers opportunities to facilitate symptom assessments and communication for children with cancer, particularly after discharge. However, access to these tools must be established to ensure that they effectively support the user. PicPecc (Pictorial Support in Person-Centered Care for Children) is a mobile health tool developed to enable children to remotely assess symptoms and communicate with health care professionals. Understanding access to PicPecc is essential for evaluating its use in pediatric oncology.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to test a digital intervention with PicPecc in pediatric oncology care through the lens of access to technology.

METHODS

This study uses a triangulation approach to determine access to digital technology through an intervention, PicPecc outside hospital. Fourteen children (6-17 y), 5 parents, and 6 nurses from 2 pediatric oncology units in Sweden participated. Children were encouraged to use PicPecc for 2 weeks (achieving a median of 14, IQR 9.75-16 days) following hospital discharge to assess pain, nausea, sleep disturbances, and feelings using an assessment scale, pictures, personal notes, and a chat function. Nurses monitored assessments and responded via the administrative interface. Access was analyzed through interviews and an instrument, and by recording the consumption of PicPecc. Data analysis was based on the 5 dimensions of access (availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability, and acceptability).

RESULTS

The intervention, PicPecc outside hospital, supported availability by enabling children to communicate symptoms in a safe and structured way. Children and parents mentioned feeling safe when they were discharged from the hospital, and nurses perceived it as a valuable complement to follow-up after discharge. PicPecc outside hospital was generally accessible, although initial challenges with log-in procedures related to the PIN code were common. Barriers related to accommodation included interpreting the scale and obtaining an overview of assessments. Affordability was high, as internet access and device availability were not barriers; however, children's motivation varied depending on symptom burden. Acceptability was strong among children up to 12 years of age, who appreciated the design and gaming function, while the older children found the visual design less age-appropriate.

CONCLUSIONS

Access to the mobile health tool, PicPecc outside hospital, appears promising for supporting remote symptom assessment in pediatric oncology, particularly among children up to 12 years of age. However, identified barriers, such as motivational factors and integration into the health care system, need to be addressed.