‘Ensuring dignified life’: how an app keeps advanced cancer patients out of hospital

Advanced-stage cancer patients could spend half as long in hospital and avoid more than a third of unplanned admissions if a symptom-tracking mobile app is added to their routine care, according to new research from the University of Hong Kong.

The SUPPORT+ mobile app, developed by HKU’s clinical oncology department, provides symptom-management information and a direct line of communication with healthcare staff.

Launched in 2022 with private backing, the app has attracted 76,000 registered users, including 2,800 families with cancer patients.

“Advanced-stage cancer patients often experience severe, worsening symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue and loss of appetite … if those problems were not handled early, it could increase the risk of hospitalisation and emergency department visits,” said Clinical Associate Professor of Practice Wendy Chan Wing-lok, who developed the app.