Use of technology as an adjunct to improve health outcomes for survivors of cancer

Abstract

Background: In a time of increasing use of eHealth technologies, it is appropriate to consider how these might be used in physiotherapy for improving health outcomes for survivors of cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this paper was to understand what technologies are in use in health care and how technologies are being used in cancer care and rehabilitation. Further, to consider the benefits and potential disadvantages of technologies in the field of oncology.

Major findings: Two eHealth strategies used for education and intervention were considered: web-based and convergence technologies (the union of web-based and mobile technologies). To date, the use of web-based eHealth technologies for educating survivors of cancer is more advanced than the use of convergence methodologies which may be more suited to health care interventions. The benefits for geographically isolated populations and for information dissemination are evident. A number of challenges remain, in particular the rapid development of interactive technologies, and the reliability of, and secure access to information for intervention trials.

Conclusions: The use of eHealth technologies should be incorporated in cancer rehabilitation; however, it is as yet too early to substitute such technologies for traditional methods.

Keywords:

• Cancer care
• eHealth
• Physiotherapy
• Rehabilitation
• Technology