Mobile app for patient education about breast cancer surgical treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a relevant public health problem with high incidence, morbidity and mortality. Patients experience a feeling of uncertain future, low self-esteem, fear of death and mutilation. In this situation, the rational absorption of information is compromised and technology can help. Objective: To develop and validate a mobile application (app) for patient education on the surgical treatment of breast cancer. Patient education in breast cancer helps set patients’ preoperative expectations and satisfaction with the surgical experience and outcomes. Methods: The app was created in five stages: 1. analysis - situational diagnosis and integrative literature review; 2. design - planning and creation of didactic content; 3. development - definition of the app navigation; 4. implementation - configuration of tools and creation of an environment to download the app from the internet; 5. testing - application of usability, performance, compatibility, and functional tests. The developed app was validated by 13 doctors experienced in the treatment of breast cancer and 19 female breast cancer patients, using the Delphi technique. Results: Consensus was achieved, with an excellent overall content validity index of 1.00, both among the doctors and the patients in the first round of consultation. Conclusion: The app, named OncoMasto Cirurgia App, was developed after an integrative literature review, tested and validated for content by specialist doctors and by breast cancer patients, showing great agreement among the study participants.