“The results imply that Digital Pen and Paper technology is suitable for the assessment of symptoms by palliative patients...”, says Leili Lind, PhD, Linköping University
In 2003, an academic study in Linköping, Sweden, tested the innovative use of Digital Pen and Paper technology in the care of terminally ill patients in their homes. The application developed by Anoto, gave palliative care patients the possibility to use a networked digital pen to keep a “pain diary” and register facts about their condition several times a day. This information was communicated to medical staff via mobile internet, leading to more precise and timely pain management.
The digital pain assessment method was considered effortless by patients in spite of their state of health. It helped that the digital pen resembles an ordinary pen and is familiar and easy to use, even for fragile or elderly patients.
Patients experienced an improvement in the contact with their caregivers and felt that they were participating more in their own care. The technology allowed patients to combine the comfort of being cared for in their own homes with real-time monitoring and control of their pain levels.
Benefits:
– More prompt and accurate treatment.
– Patients get an increased sense of security and participation in their own care.
– The contact between patients and caregivers is improved.
– Digital pen and paper is familiar, light and easy to use, even for terminally ill patients with a limited capacity to manage technical equipment.
Read the case story in Japanese