Table 3

Key features of DHTs in palliative cancer care

TechnologyKey features
PainCheck
  • Allowing patients to regularly report and share their pain data with health professionals.

  • Providing patients with personalised pain management advice.

Telephone monitoring
  • Assessment of the physical symptoms and distress of the patient and carer via weekly telemonitoring.

mPCL
  • Real-time assessment of symptoms and quality of life.

  • A summary clinical record and PC plan created by the specialist.

  • Documentation of users’ clinical interactions with patients/caregivers post-discharge.

  • Short message service.

  • An educational module offering basic information.

  • Direct contact between patient/caregiver and clinician in emergencies.

A mobile application connected to a web application
  • A diary to monitor pain and side effects.

  • A personalised schedule for registering pain medication.

  • Educational sessions on the causes of pain and additional information on pharmacological and alternative treatments.

  • Contact with the nurse via the application’s text message functionality.

PEACE
  • Video consultations with a nurse at the hospice centre.

  • Telephone interaction.

PAINRelieveIt
  • A suitable language for reporting pain (PAINReportIt).

  • A clinical decision support tool to assist clinicians in prescribing analgesics (PAINConsultN).

  • A training on patient misconceptions about pain (PAINUCope).

  • mPCL, Mobile Palliative Care Link; PEACE, Palliative/End-of-Life/Assessment/Care Coordination/Evidence-Based Programme.