FamCare+

In exploring ways to support access to cancer patient health updates for family members, caregivers, and next-of-kin (NOK), we have developed a new mobile health platform (FamCare+) that enhances coordination between (remote) families and healthcare staff at point-of-care. The purpose of FamCare+ is to provide NOK a supplemental link to the bedside. Apart from its direct impact on reducing psychological trauma, maintaining communication, and the flow of bedside information, FamCare+ could prove invaluable for creating informed families, with lower anxiety and depression, while building trust and satisfaction with healthcare services. Our recent usability and user experience study of the FamCare+ service provided extremely positive findings for all quantitative/qualitative data. FamCare+ functionality includes: (1) on the FAMILY app side: used by families outside the clinical setting, in a remote location, providing 4 tools: Vitals/Wellness updates, Video conferencing, Chat/Texting, and Counseling (Social/Mental Health Services), and (2) on the CLINICIAN app side: used at the bedside, provides clinicians, inside/outside the patient’s room, the ability to input real-time vitals/wellness information, sent to family members, in qualitative measures, along with chat and video conferencing (FaceTime).