Effectiveness of Telenursing for Postoperative Complications in Patients with Prostate Cancer

OBJECTIVE: This study is addressing the question of whether a telenursing system using information and communication technology is effective for improving postoperative complications and quality of life (QOL) in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Using a tablet computer, the participants were asked to provide information on various items, including urinary frequency, number of incontinence pads used, and presence of sexual desire and erections. Both the participants and researchers monitored automatically graphed time-dependent changes in symptoms, and the researchers could propose concrete measures to reduce patients' complications. The primary endpoint was an improved score on the expanded prostate cancer index composite (EPIC) and improved urinary incontinence based on a positive stress test. The secondary endpoint was an evaluation of self-care responses to the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) instrument. RESULTS: This study asked 33 patients who met all inclusion criteria to participate in the study, 30 of whom agreed. We compared the scores of EPIC, FACT-G, and stress test for prostate cancer patients 1 month and 3 months after surgery. The scores of urinary incontinence and urinary bother for both groups were significantly higher in 3 months after surgery than in 1 month after surgery, showing improvement in symptoms. The amount of urine left in the bladder after stress test increased showing the improvement in urinary incontinence (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between prostate cancer patients' complications after surgery and QOL showed that their physical well-being improved as they found relief from their symptoms. Telenursing was shown to be effective for symptom management of patients with chronic diseases including cancer.