New Digital Health Challenges: development of a Help Community for the cancer patient

The crisis generated by the pandemic has made it clear the need to redefine the strategies relating to the fulfilment of goal 3 of Agenda 2030 (Good Health and Well-being) according to the new model of sustainable development. It considers the protection of environ- mental, social and economic resources, thanks also to the increase of digital societies. Within the healthcare context, to cope with the difficulties of carrying out healthcare services in the presence of and reducing hospital access, there has been a greater diffusion of new digital tools, accelerating the digital health race. In a hospital-territory integration strategy, taking care of the patient is fundamental. He needs not only continuous monitoring but also a relational comparison with others.
Therefore, the work proposed in this article presents the results of a project developed by a multidisciplinary team within the Department of Medical Oncology of the Papardo hospital in Messina. The goal is to respond to the need to bring treatments closer, bring people together and bridge the physical and relational distance through developing new digital solutions.
In particular, the methodological approach of Ergonomics for Design and Human Centered Design, adopted in this work, has provided an effective strategy in allowing the development of a patient-centered, sustainable and innovative platform aimed at patients with breast cancer. The goal is to provide continuity between the hospital journey and the return home and to allow the patient, even at a distance, to feel supported in their needs, requests and expectations.