Mobile applications for managing symptoms of patients with cancer at home: A scoping review.

Background: Education plays an important role in cancer symptom management for patients and their families. With the advancement of information and communication technology, there may be additional evidence for the use of mobile apps to support patient and family education. Purpose The purpose of this review was to explore and synthesize scientific literature about cancer symptom management mobile apps that can be used by patients and their families. Methods: This review adopted a scoping review study framework, using electronic databases including EBSCO, PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, and Google Scholar using search keywords: 'caregiver family', 'mobile application', 'symptom management' and 'palliative care'. Of a total of 2633 papers found, 11 papers were selected. Findings Assessment tools are a major component of mobile apps in reporting and assessing symptoms to provide appropriate education. The information in mobile apps is delivered through various mediums that include modules, videos, avatars and cultural integration features. Conclusion: Mobile apps can improve provision of palliative care in several ways, most importantly by increasing the knowledge of the patient's family to manage cancer symptoms. Nurses are expected to play an active role in finding and utilizing appropriate mobile apps to assist families in managing a patient's symptoms at home. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Mobile apps are able to meet some healthcare information needs of patients with cancer.The use of mobile apps is proven to be a cost‐effective way to provide healthcare information to patients after discharge from hospital.What this paper adds? The assessment feature in a mobile app is a major component in reporting and assessing patient symptoms to enable provision of further appropriate education.Delivery of education in mobile apps is through various mediums including modules, videos, avatars and cultural integration features, as well as an emergency call function for managing severe symptoms.The implications of this paper: Nurses are expected to play an active role in finding and utilizing appropriate mobile apps to assist families in managing patients with cancer at home.The development of mobile apps might be extended to symptom management of other life‐limiting illness due to its benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]