The effectiveness of telemonitoring, either self-administered or professionally assisted, in cancer care management: a descriptive, retrospective, observational cohort study

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Abstract
Purpose Remote patient monitoring of symptoms is now recommended by International oncology guidelines. In France, knowledge of real-world outcomes using telemonitoring is limited. This real-world French study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a telemonitoring solution in patients receiving cancer care. Methods The Continuum + Connect solution enables the sending of questionnaires and messages to the oncology team. All patients using the solution between October 1, 2021, and June 30, 2023, were eligible. Patients could respond either by themselves (Self-evaluated [SE]) or with the assistance of homecare nurses (Professionally-assisted [PA]). This retrospective real-world observational cohort study included all patients who started using the Continuum + solution during the study period. Descriptive analyses were performed. Study endpoints included conditions of use, quality of life, medication adherence, and safety outcomes. Results Overall, 1,294 patients (SE:19% PA 81%) were included. The mean age was 68.6 years (PA 71.0) and 66.9% were women (PA 63.3%). Most patients (77.3%) received treatment at home, mainly for breast, lung, or renal cancer. Compliance with telemonitoring was satisfactory. No deterioration in quality of life or treatment adherence was observed during the first 3 months of treatment. Overall, 25.3% of patients reported grade 3–4 adverse events, of which only 2.5% represented a deterioration from grade 1–2 to grade 3–4. Conclusion The Continuum + Connect is feasible and effective for the routine monitoring of symptoms, regardless of the patient’s profile. These real-world results provide useful insights and support further research.

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