Digital patient-reported outcome measures in the follow-up of head and neck tumors

Background:Tumors in the head and neck region and their treatment often lead to significant functional and esthetic impairments. The use of digital Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) may help to improve the treatment quality of head and neck tumor patients. Objectives:The benefits of PROMs are well known and intrinsic. The implementation of digital PROMs and potential barriers will be described in this article. Materials and methods:Based on the successfully implemented PROM "OncoFunction ", the general feasibility will be illustrated. Furthermore, benefits using PROMs but also barriers and possibilities to avoid these barriers will be presented from the literature. ConclusionDigitalization with all its possibilities and opportunities can help to improve the care of head and neck tumor patients. To strengthen acceptance, transparent communication regarding personal data and ensuring a high data security standard must be guaranteed. The introduction of an inpatient system like "OncoFunction " will be complemented in the future by systems that also allow symptom monitoring at home. Whether improved overall survival can result from closer connection using PROMs has to be scientifically investigated.