Viability of mobile applications for remote support of radiotherapy patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Technological advances of the 21st century have provided greater communication, regardless of socioeconomic class and age group. Actions to promote the development of health applications are emerging around the world. OBJECTIVE: To provide a perspective on the viability and usability of mobile applications dedicated to radiotherapy patients for remote support to health professionals proposing solutions to encourage Brasil in the development of these digital tools. METHODS: Cross-sectional exploratory study by systematic review and literature review. We searched the PubMed, BVS, IBGE, and WHO databases, from 2014 to 2018. RESULTS: 6 articles were found with topics related to the use of mobile applications in the health area, two of which were published in Portuguese and four in the English, on oncology, from 2014 to 2018. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find an expressive number of works on this subject in Brasil. Mobile applications have the potential to assist in the remote support of radiotherapy patients. The latest studies suggest the need for a regulation of data protection protocols to be deployed.