Cancer patients and digital remote care
A cancer patient's treatment plan must be followed carefully. But if the patient experiences side effects, they may not be able to complete the next treatment. The solution at Østfold Hospital is digital home follow-up.
Østfold Hospital has developed a solution to follow up on cancer patients while they are at home between treatments at the hospital. Selected patients have been given an app where they can chat with nurses, as well as send in updates about their health and any side effects from their cancer treatment. The feedback has been positive, and the home follow-up helps patients to receive closer follow-up and be in a better position to carry out planned treatments.
Experiences and future plans presented by Andreas Stensvold, head of the cancer department at Østfold Hospital.
In the home follow-up app, the cancer patient can map symptoms and record measurements such as blood pressure, pulse and temperature. They can also send photos, if applicable, and all the information is entered into their medical records. Nurses are responsible for daily follow-up of incoming messages and immediate handling of serious registrations. The innovation project ‘Innovative patient pathways’ is now in normal operation at the Cancer Centre. The method of digital home follow-up is relevant for several patient groups.
Home hospitals, specialist health services in the home and patient-reported data are mentioned in strategy documents and plans, such as the National Health and Hospital Plan (2020-2023). Østfold Hospital is one of the hospitals that has worked over a long period of time to achieve this.
Recording
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