Nova Scotia Health launches scheduling app for cancer patients

Cancer patients in Nova Scotia can now access appointment schedules, reminders, and schedule changes through an app called noona.

It is part of a Nova Scotia Health project that aims to improve communication between patients and their health teams and monitor patients’ symptoms remotely.

“Obviously it’s hard to reach patients when they’re outside the clinic,” says Dr. Amanda Caissie, the project’s medical lead. “So noona offers the opportunity to continue that program remotely, so that patients can be reached from home.”

The scheduling app is the first noona feature to be rolled out in Nova Scotia, according to a statement from Nova Scotia Health.

Caissie currently said that if patients want to contact their healthcare providers, they should do so through phone messages. Caissie said she hopes the project will reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

People who don’t have access to electronic devices don’t need to take a midday meal, Caissie said.

The province is also exploring alternative options for those people, she said.

Caissie said better communication between the healthcare team and patients improves their quality of life. She said there is some evidence that it may even improve survival rates.

More features will be rolled out soon

“When you look at the difference between patient-reported outcomes and health care provider toxicity, patients tend to report their symptoms earlier, which helps us detect and address problems earlier,” she said.

Caissie said the program is designed to complement in-person care, not replace it.

She said other app features will be rolled out in the near future.

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