A mobile app developed by the University of Hong Kong has shown promising results in reducing unplanned hospitalisations for patients with advanced cancer receiving home-based palliative care. Touted as a first of its kind in Hong Kong, the app has been under development since 2021 and is fully sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Centenary Charity Programme.
The SUPPORT+ app, created by the HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine (HKUMed), allows patients, families, and caregivers to monitor symptoms, receive automated advice, and access nurse-led support when needed. It also provides full information on cancer management, palliative care, and end-of-life services, ensuring users have access to essential resources.
How the SUPPORT+ App Works
Users can record physical and psychological symptoms in the app, which prompts patients to rate their severity using a standardised scale. When symptoms reach a predefined threshold, the app provides tailored educational and self-management advice while alerting the nursing team for follow-up. This proactive approach helps shift care from a reactive model to one that anticipates and addresses issues early.
Nurses then review the reported symptoms alongside relevant clinical information from the patient’s medical record to assess their condition. They follow up with the patient or caregiver by telephone to further assess the situation, provide advice, and determine whether additional intervention or referral is needed. This process ensures timely and personalized care, reducing the likelihood of emergency visits.
Clinical Trial Findings
A randomised controlled trial involving 1,214 patients with advanced cancer receiving community-based palliative care across six public hospitals—Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, Tuen Mun Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital, Haven of Hope Hospital, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital—found that fewer patients using SUPPORT+ had unplanned hospital admissions than those receiving usual care alone (17.2% versus 28.5%).
Patients using the app also spent fewer days in the hospital, averaging 3.4 days compared with 7.3 days in the control group. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, also found that patients using the app maintained better health-related quality of life and reported greater confidence in managing their symptoms. Self-efficacy scores remained stable in the app group, while the control group experienced a decline. However, no statistically significant differences were found in emergency department visits or overall survival between the groups.
The Bank of China (Hong Kong) Centenary Charity Programme fully sponsors SUPPORT+, which has recorded around 76,000 downloads and reached more than 2,800 patients and family members to date. The app incorporates the Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (IPOS) to assess palliative care outcomes, ensuring a wide-ranging approach to patient care.
Expanding SUPPORT+ Beyond Palliative Care
The HKUMed team is now expanding SUPPORT+ to patients aged 65 and older starting new anticancer treatments. This move reflects the belief that symptom monitoring and timely support are key throughout the entire cancer journey, not just in palliative care. By extending its reach, the app aims to improve outcomes for a broader patient population.
Plans are also underway to introduce the app in more public and private hospitals and community palliative care services across Hong Kong. The long-term goal is to make these resources and support services accessible to a broader range of cancer patients, caregivers, and families, ensuring equitable access to innovative care solutions.
The Broader Context of Digital Health Innovations
SUPPORT+ is part of a growing trend in digital health innovations aimed at improving palliative and end-of-life care. Earlier this year, another HKUMed team introduced an AI-powered chatbot to train healthcare professionals in advance care planning communication, ahead of new legislation in Hong Kong. This tool complements the legal framework by enhancing communication skills among healthcare providers.
