Oral Presentation 2025 Joint Meeting of the COSA ASM and IPOS Congress

Effects of an eHealth Appstore for Dutch people directly affected by cancer (125835)

Anne M. de Korte 1 2 , Jiska J. Aardoom 3 4 , Nicole P.M. Ezendam 1 2 , Peter Heine 5 , Marije L. van der Lee 2 6 , Floortje Mols 1 2 , Helmie Mulder-Mertens 7 , Myrle M. Stouten 1 , Chantal R.M. Lammens 1 8
  1. The Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), Utrecht, The Netherlands
  2. CoRPS - Centre of Research on Psychological disorders and Somatic diseases, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
  3. Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
  4. National eHealth Living Lab, Leiden, The Netherlands
  5. Stichting kanker.nl, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  6. Scientific Research Department, Helen Dowling Institute, Centre for Psycho-Oncology, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
  7. Dutch Cancer Society, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  8. National AYA 'Young and Cancer' Network, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Objectives 

The OncoAppstore was developed to enhance access and availability of reliable, cancer-related self-management applications for all Dutch people directly affected by cancer, without referral. By providing financial credit, the applications are available to users without personal costs. We will present the effects of this project.

 

Sample and setting 

In July 2023, the OncoAppstore went live. Users who requested financial credit in the 23 months since its launch, were asked to participate.

 

Procedures 

Data were collected on the number and type of applications, and used credit. Moreover, users were asked to voluntarily complete questionnaires on health-related quality of life (EORTC CAT Core and Distress Thermometer), user experience, and use of health care services. Measures were completed after the first application was purchased (T0), and 3 (T3) and 6 (T6) months thereafter. Data on disease characteristics were collected from questionnaire respondents.  

 

Results 

Preliminary results from the first 23 months show that over 90 applications and decision aids were made available. Moreover, financial credit was provided to 7593 users, of which 6933 purchased at least one application. The questionnaires were filled out by 849, 326, and 147 users at T0, T3, and T6 respectively. 136 OncoAppstore users completed all three questionnaires so far. Clinically relevant and statistically significant (p < .05) improvements were seen at T3 on experienced distress, physical, role, and social functioning, and nausea/ vomiting compared to T0. At T6, we found statistically significant improvements on experienced distress, physical, cognitive, and social functioning, and fatigue, pain, and nausea/ vomiting compared to T0. Insomnia increased significantly at T6 compared to T0.

 

Conclusion and clinical implications 

OncoAppstore users showed reductions in experienced distress and improved quality of life. With these findings and insights, we aim to further improve the infrastructure of the OncoAppstore and to realise sustainable financing models for self-management applications.