Technological Products in Cancer Care

Various technological products are frequently used in the care of patients with cancer.1 The actual development of these products is primarily driven by healthcare professionals who see the need and the benefit of the products to oncology. The variety of technological products currently in use has resulted in a need for change in the way nursing practices are carried out.2 Given the popularity and contributions of these products, it can be argued that they have become a necessity in the continuation of healthcare.3 In addition to the contribution of technological initiatives to healthcare, it is essential to consider the usability and sustainability of these products by nurses, as this is a subject that requires detailed evaluation. Although modern technological products can be effective, their long-term use in clinics may be limited by financial barriers. The high cost of nursing care equipment can strain hospital budgets and limit access to important resources,4 thus challenging the sustained use of technological products. Commonly, technological products are developed as a researcher’s or innovator’s project or even using personal funding, with the hope that usefulness will be demonstrated, and future development costs will be covered by a product company or hospital. However, healthcare institutions often have limited budgets allocated for such applications, and there may not be sufficient additional funding available for products that could contribute substantially to patient care.5 The integration of technological equipment into hospitals or clinics necessitates the acquisition of new information and very likely an increased workload, at least initially, which is shouldered by direct care clinicians such as oncology nurses. In some instances, a researcher may study new technology and its implementation in a healthcare setting as nurses and others work to use the technology.5 Time for practicing with the new technology must be allotted so that skilled and safe use is developed. The research could potentially make contributions to the existing workforce tempo and interactions with each other and with patients. After the research is completed, the researcher may exit with the product and the setting would revert to its previous state minus the technological product. Energy consumption is an important consideration when using technological products, especially when it comes to storing and integrating patient data resulting from the products. This integration may require a new energy source and increase the size of the data to be stored, resulting in additional costs that may not have been anticipated.5 To mitigate these expenses, it may be necessary to consider alternative solutions and evaluate the trade-offs between technological advancements and cost-effectiveness. This issue must be given due consideration to guarantee the sustainability of the production process for products intended for use by patients. This situation represents a significant challenge to ensuring the usability of products and progress.1 Collaborations must be established that demonstrate the requisite sensitivity to enhance product quality and guarantee sustainability in use. Understandably, some may perceive ensuring and maintaining patient data confidentiality as a potential barrier to bringing new products to the healthcare setting. Patient data are a valuable tool that can help identify existing problems and potential solutions.6 Storing data digitally can provide greater accessibility and usability, while also protecting privacy and providing security measures. These additional costs and their long-term impact for the setting, nurses, and patients need to be considered. Currently, technology addiction is a topic of interest and even concern among patients and healthy individuals. Technology addiction is typically defined as prolonged usage times without perception of time passing and often without any tangible outcome.7 The recorded care outcomes of products in healthcare tend to be very positive, suggesting that they do not contribute to prolonged hospital stays. That said, it is worth considering that the use of technology in this setting may reduce human interaction.8 Patients may be exposed to technological tools rather than human applications, which could potentially lead to a decrease in personal contact when that is most needed. Using technological products as tools that assist nurses in oncology, rather than substitutes for them, would be the intention. This approach with technology could enhance the efficiency of nurses, enabling them to allocate more time to individual patient care practices. The duration of use of technological products by patients varies depending on the ease of use of the product and the level of stimulation it provides. It is important to develop a product that can cater to patients who prefer rest over stimulation from technological products.5 Determining whether a certain product will likely have long-term value is important for oncology nurses and patients as such use can enhance clinical usability.9 The product’s ease of use and ability to provide practical solutions are important parameters that further increase its acceptance into clinical practice and thereby its value. Maintaining the up-to-date status of technological products from their development is quite essential for their usability in healthcare. This involves maintaining a technical infrastructure that provides prompt solutions to problems.2 Although patients must be given the most effective and appropriate care, it is essential to adapt that care to the evolving technological infrastructure. In applications that require updates, such as software, it is crucial to act swiftly and adapt to clinical practice to ensure usability. It can be challenging for cancer patients to articulate their psychosocial concerns. It is important to provide similar services to all patients to ensure the quality of care.1 The use of technological products that isolate patients from their environment and clinicians can serve to further complicate the difficulty of discussing psychosocial concerns. Conversely, technological solutions that address the patient’s need to express themselves and be understood facilitate the process.9 The individualization of the patient is also a problematic factor that can negatively impact the clinical process.5 However, understanding and participating in the care of existing problems can be an important step in the individual’s recovery.10 Studies in the literature that emphasize the positive contributions of technology in solving patients’ psychosocial problems in the context of ongoing health services indicate the cooperation of care providers as a crucial step toward optimizing the clinic. It is now well-established that technological products have a beneficial impact on the quality of patient care. The utilization of technological products by nurses in the context of continuing patient care has become a necessity, rather than an option. However, there are still shortcomings in terms of ensuring the long-term viability of product utilization. New solutions that seek to enhance existing conditions may be implemented with more cost-effective approaches. When considering the financial implications of healthcare, it is crucial to exercise caution in the production of products intended for use in clinical settings, particularly in the context of cancer care. It is also essential to ensure the sustainability of the patient’s use of these products. Aydanur Aydin, PhD, MSc, RNDepartment of Nursing, Health Science Faculty, Gümüşhane University, Turkey