Docobo remote tech used at Medical University of Vienna

Docobo technology is being used by the Medical University of Vienna to remotely monitor cancer patients’ symptoms while they undergo treatment.

The haematology outpatient clinic at the Medical University of Vienna, is using the DOC@HOME health platform and app from Docobo. Its cancer patients can monitor their symptoms and collect and transfer routine data via remote monitoring from their own homes. Patients use the app on their devices to monitor symptoms, with data sent automatically to a clinical hub in real time.

Once the data is processed, any thresholds that have been exceeded will result in an alert being sent to a clinician so it can be acted on. As well as these safeguards for daily use, all symptoms will be available for review and to be discussed at planned patient consultations.

The use of the Docobo app comes off the back of a successful EU project, eSMART. That project demonstrated that the use of telemedicine led to significant improvements in care standards. It studied 829 patients – 140 of whom were from the Medical University of Vienna, between 2014 and 2019.

Remote monitoring forms part of patient-reported outcomes (PROs). This supports better care by monitoring the progress of treatment, enhancing care planning and decision making, and setting treatment goals.

Dr Simone Lubowitzki, of the Medical University of Vienna, said: “Remote monitoring can have a positive effect on cancer patient survival, while relapses can be identified more quickly, leading to optimised therapy.

“We also use the app to collect validated and established questionnaires on disease-related quality of life of patients. Patients really appreciate DOC@HOME as they can access evidence-based general information about cancer and chemotherapy at any time via the app. For clinicians, the app is creating more time to care for patients, as all the data is available at the touch of a button.”

In 2022 Docobo added the ability to monitor breathing rates virtually to its functionality. Medical University of Vienna is now in the process of programming and expanding the app so that it can cover other diseases as well, helping to make a further step towards personalised medicine and care.