A study looking at using mobile phones to report side effects of chemotherapy (ASyMS III Study)

This study will recruit 324 people in total. It is in 3 stages.

In stage 1 the researchers will collect information about the care given to people during their chemotherapy. They will do this by recruiting 150 people from across the UK to complete a series of questionnaires during their chemotherapy treatment. The questionnaires ask how you are feeling, if you are able to look after yourself and about any symptoms you may have. You will also be asked to keep a diary, and record any medicines you take during the course of your chemotherapy treatment and any health professionals, for example your GP, you may see.

The researcher will also ask your permission to interview you every month from the start of your chemotherapy to the end. They will ask you about your treatment and care. If you don’t want to be interviewed you don’t have to.

Stage 2 is a pilot study. The researchers want to test the mobile phone system. They will recruit 24 people from across the UK to use the mobile phone system during their chemotherapy treatment. The research nurse will show you how to use the system.

Twice a day, or at any time you feel unwell, you fill in a questionnaire on the mobile phone. It will ask about any symptoms you have. This information will be sent securely to your nurse or doctor. They will be alerted if any of your symptoms need to be managed. After receiving the alert, your doctor or nurse will look at a secure web page detailing the symptoms that you have reported and will contact you if necessary. Or you will receive self care information.

You will have a booklet on how to use the mobile phone. It will also have a list of helpful telephone numbers. You will have a diary to write down any problems you have using the mobile phone and to record the medicines you take and any health professional, for example your GP, you may see.

You will also be asked to fill in questionnaires at the start of using the phone, and at the end of a chemotherapy cycle. The questionnaires will ask about how you are feeling, if you are able to look after yourself and about any symptoms you may have.

In stage 3 the researchers want to test the mobile phone system using a larger number of people. They will recruit 150 people from across the UK to use the mobile phone system. You do the same as people in stage 2 except that you will be using the phone to record your side effects for all of your chemotherapy treatment.

The researcher will also ask your permission to interview you every month from the start of your chemotherapy to the end. They will ask you about your treatment and care. If you don’t want to be interviewed you don’t have to.