Ostomy Self-Management Training Intervention for Cancer Survivors: Technology-Related Findings from a Randomized Trial

J Med Internet Res. 2021 May 6. doi: 10.2196/26545. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ostomy Self-Management Telehealth (OSMT) intervention by nurse-educators and peer-ostomates can equip new ostomates with critical knowledge regarding ostomy care. A telehealth technology assessment aim was to measure telehealth engineer support requirements for telehealth technology related (TTR) incidents encountered during OSMT intervention sessions held via a secure cloud videoconferencing service, "Zoom for Healthcare".

OBJECTIVE: This paper examines technology challenges, issues, and opportunities encountered in the use of telehealth in the setting of an intervention RCT for cancer survivors living with a permanent ostomy.

METHODS: The Arizona Telemedicine Program (ATP) provided telehealth engineering support for 105 scheduled 90-120-minute OSMT sessions over a two-year period. OSMT groups included up to 15 participants, comprised of four to six ostomates, four to six peer-ostomates, two nurse educators, and one telehealth engineer. OSMT session TTR incidents were recorded contemporaneously in detailed notes by research study staff. TTRs were categorized and tallied.

RESULTS: 102 of 105 (97%) OSMT sessions were completed as scheduled. Three OSMT sessions were not held due to non-technology related reasons. Of the 93 ostomates who participated in OSMT sessions, 80 (86%) completed their OSMT curriculum. TTR incidents occurred in 35.3% of completed sessions with varying disruptive impact. Zero sessions were cancelled or rescheduled due to TTR incidents. Disruptions resulting from TTR incidents were minimized by following TTR incident prevention and incident response plans.

CONCLUSIONS: Telehealth videoconferencing technology can enable ostomates to participate in ostomy self-management education by incorporating dedicated telehealth engineering support. OSMT potentially greatly expands availability of ostomy self-management education to new ostomates.

CLINICALTRIAL: Ostomy Telehealth For Cancer Survivors (PCORI) NCT02974634.

PMID:34086595 | DOI:10.2196/26545