LivWell
LivWell is a wellness app that provides practical, emotional and social support for cancer patients, families and friends.
*Honours Project
The project is a partnership between Austin Health, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology to promote patient-centred care using design-driven approaches.
My research focused on building an in-depth understanding of:
How can we build a service that puts people first?
How can we provide effective information and support for cancer patients?
Can we use digital technology to support cancer patients?
I worked with cancer patients and health care professionals at the ONJ Centre to design an app that focuses on providing practical, emotional, and social support.
From surviving to thriving
Patient-centred care is care that is respectful of, and responsive to, the needs and preferences of patients, families and carers. This involves going beyond medical treatment and services to address the non-medical aspects of cancer. Health systems must shift the focus from treating cancer to treating the whole person, not just the disease. By doing so, health systems can enable patients to have a better quality of life – to thrive. Research has shown that patient-centred care and improved quality of life can lead to better health and clinical outcomes for cancer patients and health services. This include decreased readmission rates, decreased rates of healthcare acquired infections, improved delivery of preventive care services, reduced length of stay, improved adherence to treatment regimens and improved functional status.
The Need for Effective information and support
Cancer patients often find themselves overloaded with information that is solely focused on their physical condition. A wide range of information provided to cancer patients is generally medically focused and in many cases, the information provided does not take into account the individual patient’s perspective, information and support needs. Cancer affects a person in many ways - physically, practically, emotionally and socially. While a wide range of information is available to cancer patients, few touches on the practical, emotional and social aspects of cancer.
The IMpact of Effective information and support
Allowing cancer patients to have access to the information and support they need promotes wellbeing by encouraging engagement in decision making, educating patients about their condition and care, motivating patients to adopt healthy behaviours and helping them know when and how to seek help from professionals.
The need for a digital service
Digital interventions have the ability to provide tailored content that have larger scalability with lower costs per additional user. It can tailor specific information and services to specific users according to the information entered by users. Digital services also allow for a more person-centred approach to information sharing that takes into account the different learning styles and health literacy capabilities of people with cancer. It is important to recognise the need to present information in different formats to meet the needs of diverse patients. Multimedia applications allow for several senses to be stimulated, hence the information reaches the individual, regardless of learning preference. Digital services also support just-in-time learning – learning that takes place when the patient is ready and or has the time to access a digital device. With a digital service, cancer patients can easily access information and support anytime and anywhere. This would be particularly helpful to those who have difficulties moving around.
WHAT did I do?
I consulted with health professionals and ONJ staff and shadowed a few cancer patients in Day Oncology and Radiation Oncology while they attend the one on one patient education session with the Registered Nurse. This is to gain key insights into specific needs and objectives that patients may have. After that, I conducted interviews and surveys from 29 cancer patients and 23 carers to find out:
- What type of practical, emotional and social support cancer patients need
- How cancer patients self-manage or cope with cancer and their treatment
- If cancer patients would use a wellness mobile application
How does livwell help cancer patients?
LivWell allows cancer patients, families and carers to access good quality, up to date information on wellness, practical, emotional and social support. Patients are able to access the information at all times, from the comforts of their home. This will be helpful to those who live far from the hospital, typically those who live in the regional and rural areas of Victoria.
The app also provides signposting to relevant wellness and support programs and services that are offered throughout the ONJ Centre. Signposting guides patients to the support they need, giving them the confidence to take action and seek the support they need. LivWell also uses active goal setting to support self-management. Studies have shown that active goal setting and exercises can motivate people to choose health behaviours.
A wide range of online wellness sessions, including relaxation, mindfulnes meditation and diet advice are included in the app to promote wellness and help patients take better care of themselves. These sessions are created by accredited organisations and the clinical and support staff at the ONJ Centre and are built on current programs and services in the Wellness Centre.
