Discipline: Radiation Therapy

Interactive monitoring of paediatric outcome reporting for radiation and chemo therapies (IMPORT)

PhD Student: Mr. Graham Kelly Supervisor: Dr Michelle Leech and Dr Laure Marignol Funder: Irish Research Council

Overview of Project: The hypothesis of Graham’s project is that merging the motivational benefit of gamification with the clinical benefit of patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) can improve side effects reporting in paediatric cancer patients aged 8-12 undergoing treatment. IMPORT will transform a PROMS questionnaire for oncology into a child-friendly game and carer educational platform shared with clinicians. IMPORT aims to prove the concept that introducing gamified PROMS during clinical management of children addresses their side-effect communication needs, supports their families, and assists clinicians.

The side effect communication needs of paediatric oncology patients and their families are currently insufficiently met. Traditionally, parents act as proxies for children and relay symptom information, imparting their interpretation of how their child is feeling. Depending on age, the child may also be questioned. Gamification adds video game elements to non-gaming contexts and has been introduced to assist patients, their families, and clinicians in monitoring treatment side effects in paediatric oncology in a limited fashion. This is in line with the play-based principles routinely used in paediatric medicine. Persistent reports of limited reporting of paediatric patients’ treatment side effects demonstrate that further innovation is required and this is what IMPORT will deliver.

Long-term impact of Project: IMPORT will bring about a paradigm change in how paediatric patients report their symptoms and will enable children to have their voice heard during their cancer treatment. IMPORT will make future cancer treatment side effect reporting child focused, yet family-centric.

Quote: “IMPORT will develop a novel video-gamified patient reported outcome system for children aged 8-12 to allow their voice to be better represented throughout their care.”