Digital support tool to empower patients during their prostate cancer surgery journey.
Avegen created a mobile app that aims to improve outcomes for patients during their prostate cancer journey, specifically before and after robotic prostatectomy called Pro-Recover. We collaborated with a world leading urologist Professor Prasanna Sooriakumaran, to design a digital application that would empower patients before and after surgery to manage their journey and recovery.We worked closely with individuals with lived experience of prostate cancer whilst creating the app. Throughout the app development process, we actively sought user input by inviting them to review content and share their feedback. Their valuable insights played a crucial role in guaranteeing that this app remains patient-centered. Avegen developed this app in an 8 week time frame in summer 2023 and it is currently being used by patients from specific urology clinics in London.
The problem
More than 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the UK. Yet there is still stigma attached to men’s physical and mental health and certain side effects that come with recovering from robotic prostatectomy, such as impotence and incontinence.
Research has shown that robotic prostatectomy patients find it difficult to manage certain stages of their recovery, especially regarding urinary incontinence. Most are looking for easy ways to discover more about their recovery, track and understand their symptoms (including their PSA levels and continence recovery) and keep an eye on their health progress.
Our solution
Pro-Recover was developed using HealthMachine to help patients with prostate cancer before and after robotic prostatectomy.
Pro-Recover is a patient centered app, giving access to a range of features including:
- A knowledge base that tackles topics relating to the challenges people experience living with prostate cancer and after robotic prostatectomy (e.g. managing PSA anxiety and sexual functioning).
- Personalised content based on the user's needs.
- Helpful audio and video guides to assist recovery.
- Symptom tracking allowing users to see patterns between health factors.
- Setting and managing health goals.
We have used behavioural change techniques, such as strengthening confidence, reducing negative behaviours, self monitoring and self regulation skills, to encourage adoption among users and ensure evidence based support mechanisms are provided.
Results
Since the first soft launch of Pro-Recover in a single clinic we have 42 registered users. One user said: ‘‘I went through the app this afternoon, and honestly, I think it's great. It's very comprehensive.’
Key Takeaways
Pro-Recover was developed without any custom development-within eight weeks!
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