Computing scientists at the University of Glasgow have teamed up with cancer specialists from the Beatson Oncology Centre, a computer software company and the Cancer Care Team at the University of Stirling, to develop the use of hand-held computers to help patients cope with symptoms associated with chemotherapy drugs while they are at home.

Phil Gray of the Computing Science department said: "It's very satisfying to see the fruits of our research being put to such good use, with a real potential to improve the quality of life of cancer patients."

The system is being used by a small group of patients receiving chemotherapy at the Beatson Oncology Centre, Glasgow for bowel or lung cancer. Early feedback is very encouraging.

Professor Nora Kearney of the University of Stirling, who leads the pioneering team, says: "Patients have been really enthusiastic about the concept. The information they receive is very clearly presented, and it seems this could be a tremendous help to them.

"This could be a real step forward in symptom management for many groups of patients, and offers exciting opportunities for enhancing specialist input in community-based care."

As Professor Jim Cassidy of the Beatson Oncology Centre explains: "More and more patients are receiving chemotherapy at home, which is where they prefer to be, but they can feel isolated at times and welcome expert advice about any symptoms they may be having."

Dr Meurig Sage, of KelvinConnect Ltd, a new software company which specialises in the design and implementation of hand-held information systems, says: "We believe that hand-held computers have enormous potential in health care, for use by both patients and carers.

"However, we need to take great care to work with patients and staff to get the design right so that systems are easy to use."

This is the first group of patients with cancer in Scotland to have used this system which is still in its early stages of development and further development will be necessary before the system can be used widely. Nevertheless, patients have reported that it is easy to use and helpful for the management of symptoms associated with chemotherapy.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

University of Glasgow contact: Mr Phil Gray 0141 330 4933 email: pdg@dcs.gla.ac.uk
University of Stirling contact: Professor Nora Kearney 01786 466337
or contact the University Press Office on 0141 330 3535

First published: 14 August 2003