In 2017, MCO was awarded funding by the Cancer Innovation Challenge to develop a platform for the collection of oncology PROMs.

The first project was with NHS Ayrshire and Arran, aiming to support patients undergoing chemotherapy in haematological cancer. After a successful trial, MCO is still in use to remotely capture detailed quality of life data from patients in between consultations. Clinicians review and respond to the data accordingly, allowing the next treatment to proceed as planned, arranging a focussed phone consultation, but importantly significantly reducing reliance on face-to-face consultations.

“This is convenient… it unearths levels of toxicity and side effects that might not have been identified by other methods, and it allows a more direct comparison between patients than was previously possible.”

Dr Peter Maclean, Consultant Haematologist and Director of Cancer Services, NHS Ayrshire and Arran

“It allows a bit more time for you to think about what there is to convey, and it’s useful in saving a lot of time for doctors…. I think if we could use it, anyone could use it!” 

A patient with myeloma on using MCO

The success of MCO’s involvement across Scotland, in improving patient engagement, enabling more efficient use of clinical capacity and providing analytics to identify variation in outcomes, has been highlighted on numerous occasions:

• Winner: Industry Collaboration Award at the Digital Healthcare Awards 2020, for ‘Using Digital Patient-reported Outcomes To Enhance Routine Cancer Care’ with NHS Ayrshire & Arran.

• Featured in 'Pilot success for award-winning My Clinical Outcomes cancer tool', an article published by The National newspaper.

• Celebrated at ‘The Data Lab: Supporting Transformative Projects’ reception in the Scottish Parliament building, where keynote speaker Dr Peter MacLean discussed the real difference MCO has made to the efficiency of his clinics and the impact it has had on his patients. 

• Featured in The Data Lab ‘Cancer Innovation Challenge’ podcast series (listen below). Dr Tim Williams, CEO of MCO, recorded a podcast with The Data Lab. Recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it summarises MCO’s involvement in the Cancer Innovation Challenge (8 mins) and highlights the application of MCO specifically in supporting remote consultations (11 mins).

Overall Survival Results of a Trial Assessing Patient-Reported Outcomes for Symptom Monitoring During Routine Cancer Treatment

Basch E, Deal AM, Dueck AC, July 2017

This key paper reported the significant benefits of using digital PROMs observed in a randomised controlled trial of 766 patients commencing chemotherapy for metastatic solid tumours at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. Results included:

• Overall survival was 5 months longer (a 20% increase)

• At 5 years, 8% more patients were alive in the self-reporting group

• 31% of patients experienced better quality of life and better physical functioning

• 7% reduction in emergency room visits

• Patients were able to remain on potentially life prolonging chemotherapy for an average of 2 months longer

The research formed the basis of one of four keynote presentations – selected for having the greatest potential to impact patient care at ASCO in 2017.

Click here to read the article.

Unusually for an academic paper, these results received international media coverage, for example:

The Increasing Value of eHealth in the Delivery of Patient-Centred Cancer Care

Penedo FJ, Oswald LB, Kronenfeld JP, May 2020

This very recent review examines 10 years of publications about patient-centred eHealth in cancer care, with focus on symptom management, health-related quality of life, and patient-reported outcomes, including Prof Basch and colleagues’ work. It details the results and outcomes of 27 published studies, including:

“PRO monitoring with health information technologies has the potential not only to promote better patient-level outcomes (i.e., better HRQOL and longer survival), but also better system-level outcomes (i.e. fewer admissions to emergency departments and hospitalisations, and cost-effectiveness).”

Penedo et. al., University of Miami, 2020

Click here to read the article.

Covid-19 Emergency and the Need to Speed Up the Adoption of Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cancer Clinical Practice

Marandino L, Necchi A, Aglietti M, May 2020

This paper recognises some of the challenges that Covid-19 is causing for continuing normal cancer care in terms of reduced clinical capacity and the need to keep vulnerable patients away from hospital.

The authors suggest that

“…the adoption of tools and questionnaires aimed at symptom description by patients with cancer has already been invoked for clinical practice, and in this unexpected Covid-19 emergency the use of electronic PROs (ePROs) could represent a smart strategy to pursue in clinical practice.”

Marandino L, Necchi A, Aglietti M, et el., University of Turin, May 2020

The potential immediate benefits cited include :

• Providing a systematic check in clinical trend and prompt intervention to prevent deterioration, support quality of life, and prevent emergency presentations and admission

• Allowing efficient use of restricted clinical resources to screen patients who need additional remote phone assistance or direct medical intervention

• A positive psychological impact on patients, increasing their satisfaction and connection with their healthcare services

Click here to read the article.