The Role of mHealth Applications in Uro-Oncology: A Systematic Review and Future Directions.

Abstract

<b>Purpose</b>: This systematic review aims to evaluate the utility of mobile health (mHealth) applications in uro-oncology, hereafter referred to as mHealth apps, specifically examining their potential to improve patient care, symptom management, and communication in genitourinary cancer treatment. <b>Methods</b>: Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive systematic review was conducted focusing on mHealth applications for patients with genitourinary cancers. <b>Results</b>: The review analyzed 29 studies, which revealed that mHealth apps demonstrated potential in uro-oncology patient care. Key findings included effective symptom monitoring, enhanced decision support, and improved patient education. The applications were found to be feasible and well-accepted by patients. However, implementation challenges were identified, including technical barriers, variations in app quality, and unequal access to digital healthcare technologies. This review systematically categorized mHealth interventions into three functional domains-symptom management, decision support, and personalized care-and identified critical implementation barriers including digital inequity, high risk of bias, and app quality variability. <b>Conclusions</b>: Mobile health applications demonstrate promise in revolutionizing uro-oncology care. Future research should prioritize developing comprehensive applications that address a broader range of urological cancers, enhance patient-clinician communication, and undergo rigorous evaluation. Collaborative efforts among researchers, clinicians, and app developers are crucial to overcome existing limitations and maximize the potential of these innovative healthcare tools.