The effect of e-mobile education on the quality of life in breast cancer women

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of e-mobile education on the quality of life of women diagnosed with breast cancer who received adjuvant endocrine hormone therapy. Methods: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled study between January 2018 and July 2018 in the Medical Oncology Outpatient Clinic of a state hospital in the province of Balıkesir. A total of 64 patients were included in the study according to the inclusion criteria of randomization, split into treatment group with 31 patients and control group with 33 patient. Data were collected using Patient Introductory Information Form, FACT-ES Quality of Life Scale and NCCN Distress Thermometer. The data were collected twice during the first week of the study and 12th week at the end of the study by one-to-one interviews and/or telephone interviews. Treatment group patients were received information via mobile application for three months during which they were contacted in every 15 days; e-mobile training was provided, including information about breast cancer definition, treatment process, symptoms experienced during adjuvant endocrine hormone therapy, adequate nutrition, regular physical activity and coping with stress. In this process, the control group patients were provided with standard care. At the end of the study; the printed material (booklet) of the e-mobile training given to the treatment group was also provided for the control group. Necessary ethical permits were obtained to conduct the study. Results: The mean total quality of life after e-mobile training to the treatment group was found to be significantly higher than the control group, and the mean distress score was lower than the control group (p <0.05). For quality of life subscales of patients in the e-mobile training and treatment group; the scores of physical well-being, emotional well-being and endocrine symptoms were found to be significantly higher than the control group (p <0.05). There was found no difference between the mean scores of social / family well-being subscale scores of the patients in the e-mobile training and treatment group and the control group. Conclusion: As a result of the study; it has been concluded the quality of life of the patients increased when nurses use the e-mobile training and counseling in order to manage the disease process and symptoms of the women diagnosed with breast cancer and who are receiving adjuvant endocrine hormone therapy with the help of the developing technologies and using the mobile technologies. Our study is envisaged that the nursing care process will provide an opportunity for inclusion of mobile applications and improvement of supportive treatment for cancer patients. The study is foreseen to provide a basis for future studies on the benefits of mobile application-based supportive cancer care in the field of oncology.