Technology into practice: young people's, parents' and nurses' perceptions of WISECARE+.
Technology is a central aspect of young people's lives, with the internet and mobile phone technology providing the preferred means of communication. This pilot explored perceptions and experiences of young people, parents and healthcare professionals on the role of technology in monitoring and managing chemotherapy-related toxicity.


OBJECTIVE
To introduce the WISECARE+ process for recording and communicating symptoms following chemotherapy to a teenage patient population and evaluate its usefulness with patients, parents and nursing staff.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 11 young people (aged 13 to 20 years) with a haematological or solid tumour undergoing primary treatment, were recruited from two UK regional paediatric oncology centres. The young people completed a daily symptom questionnaire for 14 consecutive days following a course of chemotherapy. They evaluated the presence or absence of symptoms of nausea, vomiting, fatigue and oral problems, their severity and how much the symptom bothered them. Perception questionnaires were completed by the 11 young people, four parents and eight nurses at the end of the 14 days.


RESULTS
Young people and parents found the symptom questionnaire simple to understand, easy to complete and they liked the paper format. The nurses' confidence with IT varied but all felt that it could be useful in their clinical practice.


CONCLUSIONS
These young people appeared to gain from their participation in the project, especially in relation to completing the questionnaire as they were able to see a change in symptoms over time that was encouraging, particularly in situations where the young person had been quite ill. This work is continuing with formats such as a handheld computer or mobile phone being considered to collect symptom information. Additional factors such as reading levels and dyslexia are also being considered.
Gibson
Faith
F
Children's Cancer Nursing Research, UCL Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Trust, London.
Miller
Morven
M
Kearney
Nora
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D004346:Drug Information Services; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D004360:Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000458:organization & administration; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D015397:Program Evaluation; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents