# Towards personalised follow-up care in ovarian cancer using online remote PROMs monitoring: a study protocol of a feasibility trial

## TL;DR

This study explores using remote monitoring for ovarian cancer patients to improve follow-up care and reduce the need for frequent hospital visits.

## Contribution

The study introduces a feasibility trial of a remote monitoring system (CopA) for ovarian cancer follow-up care.

## Key findings

- The study will assess the usability and satisfaction of the CopA system among patients and healthcare professionals.
- Implementation barriers and facilitators of the CopA system will be identified through qualitative methods.
- A process evaluation will examine components like reach, fidelity, and compliance of the remote monitoring approach.

## Abstract

Ovarian cancer patients often experience persistent symptoms such as fatigue and pain, impacting their quality of life. Current follow-up care, focused primarily on recurrence detection, may not adequately address these symptoms and can be burdensome. This study evaluates the feasibility of remote monitoring using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and measurements of weight and abdominal circumference as an alternative to standard hospital visits. We aim to assess feasibility (ie, usability and satisfaction) of this approach and identify implementation barriers and facilitators.

This study is a single-centre longitudinal observational pilot that uses both qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate the feasibility of an innovative remote monitoring system for ovarian cancer follow-up care (Controle op Afstand, CopA). It is accessible to both healthcare professionals in the electronic health record and patients through the patient portal. Instead of 3-monthly in-hospital visits, patients are invited to complete regular surveys assessing PROMS about symptoms and quality of life and home measurements of weight and abdominal circumference. Feasibility will be assessed by (1) analysing patient and healthcare professional (HCP) experiences with CopA with the Measurement Instrument for Determinants of Innovations questionnaire for HCPs, and the ‘Experienced Usability and Satisfaction with Self-monitoring in the Home Setting’ questionnaire for patients, (2) investigating implementation barriers and facilitators using qualitative method and (3) performing a process evaluation of the intervention, assessing components such as reach, fidelity and compliance, time to response and number of (tele)consultations during the study period. Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis.

This study was reviewed by the Ethics Committee of the Amsterdam University Medical Centre (METC 2022.0256) and exempted it from further review as this study was not subject to the Dutch Medical Research Involving Human Subject Act. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed open-access publications, scientific conferences and targeted communication to patient organisations, healthcare providers and the wider public.