Innovative approach to design user-centred digital solutions for Plastic Surgery non-melanoma skin cancer patients

Annachiara Cavaliere¹Vincenzo De Luca¹Michele Virgolesi¹Guido Iaccarino²Lorenzo Mercurio¹Maddalena Illario^1*Fabrizio Schonauer¹

• ¹Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
• ²Universita degli Studi di Napoli Federico II Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Naples, Italy

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common malignancy in fair-skinned patients. NMSCs incidence increases with age, and as the worldwide population is constantly ageing, the management of patients with NMSCs poses a considerable burden on healthcare systems. Over the last two decades, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including artificial intelligence, mHealth and telemedicine, has progressively emerged, gaining increasing importance in everyday clinical practice through innovative ways of communication and effective organisational approaches. This study aimed to identify key digital solutions and user scenarios addressing the unmet needs of individuals with a NMSCs profile, through an adaptation of the "Blueprint on Digital Transformation in Health and Care in an Ageing Society" (Blueprint) user-centred design methodology. A phone survey was administered to 87 patients treated at the Plastic Surgery Unit of Federico II University Hospital from 2022 to 2023, to analyse the demographic, clinical and social characteristics of NMSCs patients. The theoretical elaboration of NMSCs personas was developed by an interdisciplinary Focus Group. Data from 70 patients have been analysed, and their characteristics (gender, age, education, comorbidities) and the most frequently referred needs have been identified. Patients' primary concern was the possible need for extended hospitalisation, and the most commonly reported need was having easily accessible information and remote medical assistance to shorten the length of hospital stay and be discharged early in safe conditions. The Mobile Health (mHealth) app has been identified for supporting patients in adhering to preoperative and postoperative instructions, as well as for maintaining constant contact with healthcare professionals. From the perspective of a more holistic approach to care, the Blueprint methodology helps to identify the specific characteristics and unmet needs of different patient types, develops more patient-centred care models, outlines ad hoc diagnostic-therapeutic pathways, and provides digital health solutions.