Personalised post-treatment support for oesophageal and gastric cancer patients using novel technologies

Background: The recovery after treatment of oesophageal and gastric cancer is complex, long, and incomplete. Patients have a “left alone” feeling after treatment and urge individualised support. The value of regular appointments with healthcare is criticised.

Aim: To test our interactive smartphone application, named RECAPP, for monitoring of patients and informing them if and when there is a need for specific self-managed interventions, contact healthcare or no action required.

RECAPP aims to help increase patients’ autonomy in symptom management and rehabilitation and thereby improving their daily lives and cancer survivorship.Method: RECAPP is developed using machine learning methods, based on data from of our nationwide and comprehensive cohort study. In this project, RECAPP will first be tested in 30 patients and adjusted as needed.

Thereafter, we will conduct a nationwide randomised clinical trial of 250 oesophageal and gastric cancer patients. Half of patients will use RECAPP for 6 months while the other half follows standard of care. The primary outcome is reduction in symptom burden.

Secondary outcomes are health-related quality of life, symptoms, weight development, patient empowerment, self-efficacy, survival, family caregiver burden and cost-effectiveness.Relevance: If RECAPP is proven to be a valuable tool in the follow-up management of these patients, it will be implemented in clinical practice for the benefit of patients, family caregivers and healthcare.