Feasibility, Acceptability, and Outcomes of a Mobile Health Tool for Radical Cystectomy Recovery.

PURPOSE: Postoperative education and symptom tracking are essential following cystectomy to reduce readmission rates and information overload. To address these issues, an internet-based tool was developed to provide education, alerts, and symptom tracking. We aimed to evaluate the tool's feasibility, acceptability, and impact on complication and readmission rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three eligible patients over 18 years old scheduled for cystectomy were enrolled. Patients were asked to use the mobile health (mHealth) tool daily for the first 2 weeks, then less frequently up to 90 days after discharge. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize study variables. Feasibility was defined as at least 50% of patients using the tool once a week, and acceptability as patient satisfaction of > 75%. RESULTS: Use of the mHealth tool was feasible, with 90% of patients using it 1 week after discharge, but engagement declined over time to 50%, with technological difficulties being the main reason for nonengagement. Patient and provider acceptability was high, with satisfaction > 90%. Within 90 days, 36% experienced complications after discharge and 30% were readmitted. Engagement with the mHealth application varied but was not statistically associated with readmission (P = .21). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that the electronic mobile health intervention for patients undergoing cystectomy was feasible, acceptable, and provided valuable educational content and symptom management. Future larger studies are needed to determine the tool's effectiveness in improving patient outcomes and its potential implementation into routine clinical care.

Patient and Provider Perception of Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor vs Chemoablation for Nonmuscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Treatment.

PURPOSE: The aim of this mixed methods study was to investigate patient and provider perceptions of repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumors to improve counseling as new nonsurgical treatment modalities for nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer emerge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative data were collected via a web-based survey through the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network of patients with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer who had undergone at least 1 transurethral resection of bladder tumor. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate associations of patient demographics and clinical variables with treatment preference. Qualitative data were collected with 60 in-depth telephone interviews with patients (n=40) and urologists (n=20) to understand experiences with bladder cancer and transurethral resection of bladder tumor. Telephone interviews were conducted by trained qualitative experts. Transcripts were imported into Dedoose to facilitate analysis. RESULTS: Survey data of 352 patients showed 210 respondents (60%) preferred repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor while 142 (40%) preferred intravesical chemoablation. Patients who preferred repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor were more likely to prioritize initial treatment effectiveness (63%), whereas those who preferred chemoablation prioritized risk of recurrence (55%). Variables associated with a preference for intravesical chemoablation included U.S. residence (OR=2; 95% CI 1.1, 3.8), or if they expressed their reason for treatment preference as priority of recurrence risk over effectiveness (OR=14.6; 95% CI 7.4, 28.5). Predominant interview themes varied across participants, with patients but not urologists emphasizing the emotional toll of the procedure along with the need for improved counseling regarding recurrence, terminology, and cancer-related signs and symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Differences exist in the way patients and urologists perceive repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor for bladder cancer. Understanding transurethral resection of bladder tumor perception will aid in shared decision making as novel treatments emerge for nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer.