Clinical utility and patient engagement with a novel digital platform for cancer care navigation.

Abstract

e13713 Background: Overcoming barriers to care navigation remains a significant challenge in oncology. Patients often describe navigating a treacherous hike without a map, gear or a guide. Daswani developed a planning notebook with structured, evidence based sections for visit notes, treatment choices, and side effect and gratitude journaling during her 2020 journey with early stage breast cancer (BC). Initial distribution through patient advocacy groups (PAGs), hospital gift shops, and peer referral networks allowed feedback for iterative refinement. In 2022, the planner became the basis for an online web application (WebApp). The WebApp was tested for acceptability and utility. Methods: The WebApp enrollment was offered to rolling cohorts starting August 2024 with three core components: Map (interactive, disease-specific visual representation of the care journey), Gear (self-management tools for appointment preparation, symptom and medication tracking), and Guide (a searchable database of support services).Users were recruited through PAGs (in collaboration with Lungevity and Gilead Sciences, others) and clinician referrals. Platform engagement, navigation, and support service utilization were tracked. User experience was evaluated through analytics and questionnaires. Results: Of 99 users, 37 were patients (40% early-stage BC, 20% metastatic BC, 17% metastatic lung cancer, 22% other), 30 survivors, 13 caregivers, from 21 states. Average platform time was 38 minutes/user; 75% used human-help onboarding. 68% of patients used a Map: BC users focused on imaging interpretation and treatment planning; Lung cancer users prioritized biomarker testing and staging. Metastatic disease users engaged with treatment decision-making and symptom management. The platform connected an average of 16.7 support services/user: helplines (10%), peer navigation (8%), financial assistance (7%). Of users offered nurse support, 3% connected with nurses. 6 users completed surveys: average net promoter score 83 (scale -100 to +100). Conclusions: The WebApp provides disease-specific navigation support at time of patient decision making. Usage pattern analysis for BC and lung cancer patients shows the WebApp addresses unique disease-specific needs: biomarker testing in lung cancer and treatment sequencing in BC. Engagement duration suggests value in supporting complex decision-making for metastatic disease management. The oncology care team's reach is extended with the platform's ability to scale patient connection to relevant support services and extra clinical support. The WebApp and other digital navigation tools can enhance clinical care delivery by providing patients with consistent, evidence-based guidance while identifying those needing additional support. Ongoing refinement continues through user feedback and support service crowdsourcing, with vision for integration into routine care.