Methodology

For this study, 34 unvaccinated oncology patients were recruited in France to assess symptoms associated with the COVID-19 infection. The most common oncological diagnoses among the participants were gastrointestinal, breast, ovarian, or lung cancer. The majority of patients were Stage III or IV and were receiving chemotherapy. The most common comorbidities among the enrolled patients were obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Over the course of this six-month registry, five-minute questionnaires were collected from the patients daily. Participants downloaded ObvioHealth’s Obvio-19 app, using it throughout the trial to track possible infections of COVID-19, the evolution of symptoms, and any interactions between COVID-19 and their therapeutic treatments.  

As a complement to regular visits with a healthcare provider, the Obvio-19 app allowed for remote monitoring and at-home data collection from the patients. Reminder notifications were automatically configured within Obvio-19’s user experience to guide responses on symptom progression and resolution over the course of the study. Con-meds were entered by the patients and confirmed by site study coordinators and oncologists.

The study team and participants were able to communicate throughout the study via the Obvio-19 app chat feature, fostering closer communication and care.

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Results

Patients were reported to be cautious and to follow all HCP recommendations: Mask wearing, hand washing, use of sanitizer, and social distancing (excluding clinic visits). No patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the study.  

Although 4 patients reported suspicious symptoms, all PCR tests returned negative, demonstrating the symptoms as non-COVID-19 related.

Patients reported that the Obvio-19 application was easy to use. Outcomes reporting took, on average, less than 2 minutes a day.

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Conclusions

The ease with which the study participants interacted with the Obvio-19 app, and the success of the study design overall, is reflected in the feedback provided by several patients. These participants requested that the study duration be extended an additional 6 months, citing the daily questionnaire as a source of comfort, as well as concerns that there would be no one they could alert, if necessary, following the study’s completion.

Such participant satisfaction—in combination with high compliance and retention rates—indicate decentralized models including intuitive digital instruments might represent an effective avenue for conducting studies amongst oncology patients receiving at-home care. Study design could be adapted to meet these patients’ needs, requiring them to visit the clinics less frequently while also ensuring their compliance with tasks and medications and their safety through remote monitoring and the tracking of secondary effects.