Digital Health Technology & Cancer Care: Conceptual Framework Leading Comprehensive Fruitfulness

Abstract

Digital technologies are now integral to daily life. However, their applications for the health of populations remain largely untapped. Increasing cancer incidence, and it being the leading cause of death in every country in the world, justifies the need for increasing healthcare. Digital health technology is a promising field. Digital health means different things to different people. Thus, the need for a concrete, distinctive, comprehensive action plan. Conceptual frameworks represent ways of thinking about a problem and how complex things work. We elaborate on the latest evidence with examples for the role of Digital Health Technology (DHT) as a comprehensive multi-faceted ‘Conceptual Framework −5Ps’ comprising: (i) DHT for Proper assess-ment: right from history taking to digital biopsies. (ii) DHT for Pertinent treatment: including genomic data analysis for precision treatment. Artificial Intelligence-based digital pathology approaches are practical and are increasingly improving selective cancer treatments. Digital self-management interventions improve symptom outcomes in adult cancer patients. Digital health can help cancer patients gain more autonomy, self-acceptance, and personal growth. (iii) DHT for Progress monitoring: comprehensively and remotely. The concept “hospital at home” feasible with DHT. (iv) DHT for Prevention applications: reaching all rewardingly. (v) DHT for Professional standards: education excellence. Proficiency is desirable when using DHTs fast-advancing applications. Doctors may not have the information they need to use a given DHT. General Medical Council, UK, and Medical Council India have been proactive in technology training. Regulations & ethics rigour are required energetically. All new technologies must meet the same bar for clinical evidence as other clinical interventions. Digital Health Academy is required to meet the highest standards, energizing and ensuring excellence. In the current state of healthcare and growing demands, good developments in DHT seem the solution. A conceptual framework is a good start for generous success. We hope our work progresses mindsets, practices, and policies majorly.