Ottawa, Canada [October 23, 2024] - Navigating cancer is one of the most challenging experiences a patient and their caregivers can face. Between the emotional weight of the diagnosis and the overwhelming complexity of treatment options and tests, it’s crucial for patients to have clear, reliable support at every step. At Leynek Medical, we’re committed to empowering patients through innovative solutions that simplify this journey. One of the most exciting developments in this mission is our latest feature: AnswerAssist.
This new tool is designed to enhance patient engagement by making medical appointments more accessible, especially for cancer patients with lower health literacy and foggy brain. Let’s take a deeper look at how AnswerAssist is helping patients and caregivers navigate cancer more effectively in conjunction with the ReneCare Platform ePRO software.
The Challenge: Navigating Cancer in a Complex Healthcare System
For patients diagnosed with cancer, the healthcare system can be overwhelming. It’s not just about attending appointments—it’s about understanding a complex treatment plan, managing side effects, and keeping up with ongoing tests and procedures. And then there’s the emotional toll: for many, it’s difficult to ask all the right questions in the face of such an intense experience.
Caregivers often play a crucial role in supporting patients during this time, but they can’t always attend every doctor’s visit and asking their loved one to share all the details can be a burden. This gap in communication can lead to confusion, misremembered information, and a lack of clarity about the next steps in treatment and how to best support that loved one.
That’s where AnswerAssist comes in.
What is AnswerAssist?
AnswerAssist is a powerful feature built into our cancer navigation platform that helps patients and caregivers make the most out of their medical appointments. The feature was designed to bring relief and clarity, with a focus on being easy to use.
Here’s how it works:
Pre-load Questions: Before the patient’s appointment, either they or their caregiver can pre-load important questions they want to ask the doctor. This ensures that all critical issues are addressed, even if emotions or time constraints make it difficult to remember them during the appointment.
Voice-to-Text Recording: If a caregiver cannot attend the appointment, the patient can use the app’s voice-to-text feature to record the conversation with their healthcare provider. This recording serves as an invaluable resource for later review.
AI-Powered Answers: After the appointment, AnswerAssist uses natural language processing to scan the recorded conversation and automatically answer the pre-loaded questions based on the doctor’s responses. This way, even if the patient didn’t catch every detail in real time, they’ll still have clear answers to their most important concerns.
By using AnswerAssist, patients and caregivers can stay informed and engaged with their treatment, reducing confusion and anxiety around medical appointments. This level of patient engagement is critical to navigating cancer successfully.
Enhancing Cancer Navigation with ePRO Software
One of the key technologies driving parallel to AnswerAssist is ePRO software (electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes). This type of software allows patients to report on their health and symptoms in real-time, providing valuable data to healthcare providers. But ePRO software isn’t just about data collection—it’s also about fostering deeper patient engagement.
At Leynek Medical, we believe that ePRO software should be more than a tool for reporting symptoms; it should be a bridge that strengthens the relationship between patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. AnswerAssist takes this concept further by ensuring that patients and their caregivers have access to clear, actionable information following each appointment. By empowering patients with the answers they need, AnswerAssist turns what might have been an overwhelming experience into one where the patient is an informed participant in their care.
Why Patient Engagement Matters in Cancer Navigation
The more engaged a patient is with their treatment, the better their outcomes are likely to be. Studies show that patients who feel informed and involved in their care are more likely to adhere to their treatment plans, have improved quality of life, and experience less stress overall.
For cancer patients, engagement is particularly important. Treatments are often long-term, with many appointments, tests, and potential side effects to manage. A patient who feels confident and supported in navigating their treatment is more likely to manage these complexities effectively.
AnswerAssist helps foster this kind of engagement by giving patients the tools they need to stay informed. The ability to pre-load questions, record appointments, and review answers using AI ensures that they’re never left feeling uncertain or alone. By making it easier to access and understand information, we’re helping patients stay connected to their care teams and more engaged in their treatment plans.
Navigating Cancer with AnswerAssist
At Leynek Medical, we understand that navigating cancer is not just about fighting the disease—it’s about managing the journey. Our AnswerAssist feature is part of a broader mission to use ePRO software to enhance patient engagement and provide patients and caregivers with the tools they need to navigate cancer more confidently.
Whether it’s ensuring critical questions get answered, allowing patients to review important information after appointments, or simply offering peace of mind, AnswerAssist is transforming the cancer navigation process. We’re proud to help patients and their caregivers take control of their healthcare journey, one answer at a time.
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