January to December 2021

How might we educate ambulatory chemotherapy patients to give them more control and empower them in their treatment journey from their home?

Oncosalud, the top oncological treatment centre in Peru, aimed to address the major difficulties faced by patients during out-patient chemotherapy treatments. This was in order to improve their adherence to it, resulting in decreased costs associated with these treatments.

Challenge

The Covid-19 pandemic presented significant challenges for oncological treatment, as patients were among the most vulnerable populations. This led to a shift in which patients had to primarily receive treatment from home, only visiting the clinic in emergency situations or for critical procedures like chemotherapy.

Solution

Our Virtual First Care Solution was a phygital (physical and digital) assistant supporting patients undergoing ambulatory chemotherapy by behavioral change initiatives that empowered them to manage and understand their symptoms, leading to improved treatment efficiency and reduced dependence on others. This proactive approach differs from traditional care models that rely solely on medical staff. Responses to symptoms, as reported through our website's automated scale, range from educating the patient to scheduling a clinic visit with the primary doctor.

Key Results

• Achieved a 66 percentage point increase in patient autonomy.

• Doubled patient satisfaction with their medical treatment.

• Reduced temporary abandonment of treatments through regular symptom reporting, which helped patients manage their comorbidities, improved their medical test results, and ensured they could proceed with the next round of chemotherapy.