HKU's SUPPORT+ App Shows Potential to Reduce Hospital Stays for Advanced Cancer Patients
New research from the University of Hong Kong suggests that integrating a symptom-tracking mobile application into the routine care of advanced-stage cancer patients could potentially halve hospital stays and prevent over a third of unplanned admissions.
)
According to the South China Morning Post, new research from the University of Hong Kong indicates that advanced-stage cancer patients might spend half the time in the hospital and avoid more than one-third of unplanned admissions if a symptom-tracking mobile application is incorporated into their standard care.
The SUPPORT+ mobile application, which was developed by the clinical oncology department at HKU, furnishes symptom-management details and establishes a direct communication channel with healthcare personnel. Since its launch in 2022, which received private funding, the app has garnered 76,000 registered users, among whom are 2,800 families with cancer patients.
Clinical Associate Professor of Practice Wendy Chan Wing-lok, who developed the application, stated that advanced-stage cancer patients frequently encounter severe and escalating symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, and pain, and that if these issues are not addressed early, they could heighten the likelihood of emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
)
)
)