WellSpan Health

WellSpan Cancer Centers
York, Pennsylvania

Developing and Implementing a Radiation Oncology App to Improve the Patient Experience

Bryan M. Schmalhofer, MBA RT(R)(T), Manager of Radiation Oncology Operations for the Wellspan Health Oncology Service Line

Dissatisfied with the limited support in their patient education materials, the Wellspan Oncology Service Line developed a mobile app to offer its radiation oncology patients on-demand access to treatment- and disease-specific education. The app incorporates patient appointment and treatment schedules, a symptom tracker, secure messaging with care team members, access to support services, and more. And since it’s connected to Wellspan’s EHR, clinicians can use the app data to continually monitor patient symptoms and side effects.

Developing and Implementing a Radiation Oncology App to Improve the Patient Experience

WellSpan Health is an integrated health system that serves the communities of central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. The organization is comprised of eight hospitals, more than 19,000 employees, and more than 170 patient care locations. WellSpan is a charitable, mission-driven organization, committed to exceptional care for all, lifelong wellness, and healthy communities. WellSpan has experienced rapid growth in recent years and currently provides care at six community-based cancer centers in South Central Pennsylvania.

In 2018 the Oncology Service Line recognized the potential to improve the patient experience with the development and implementation of a mobile radiation oncology application (app). This app supports the healthcare organization’s goal to deliver a patient experience that is simpler, builds loyalty, and reduces patient anxiety.
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