OBJECTIVES: The benefits of patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) to guide patient care during cancer treatment is well-established. Paper-based PROMs are now increasingly collected electronically. The study aimed to evaluate PROMs completion rates and operational efficiencies using a novel digital health platform.

METHODS: A single-centre pilot was conducted at Cromwell Hospital (Bupa-owned) from September-December 2022. Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients undergoing surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy were invited. Patients were asked to complete EQ-5D and EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaires digitally via the Vinehealth^® Cancer Companion smartphone app at baseline, 6 weeks and 3 months. Patients were also encouraged to log their symptoms.

RESULTS: 22 patients consented and downloaded the app. 72.7%(N=16) completed both PROMs at least once, with 13(81.3%) completing baseline PROMs per protocol. 3 further patients completed PROMs after baseline collection following automated Vinehealth^® reminders. Comparatively, existing response rates at Cromwell Hospital is 7% for paper-based surveys.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates digital PROMs collection drastically improves patient response rates and could be more cost effective. High levels of symptom logging shows effective patient engagement with Vinehealth^®, providing potential for a rapid access escalation pathway for early warning signs of treatment-associated complications. Additional investigation is required to determine whether this translates into further cost savings from reduced admissions through early intervention. These results will inform wider implementation across other tumour types within Cromwell Hospital.