Project Summary

The OncoHealth AI project is an AI-powered smartphone app designed to support the mental health of cancer patients and their caregivers. It provides personalized mental health support, resource recommendations, and access to support groups using Generative AI. The app includes features like a distress thermometer, personalized coping strategies, mindfulness exercises, and teletherapy access. OncoHealth AI integrates with medical records to ensure that mental health interventions align with patients' physical health needs, aiming to improve quality of life, adherence to treatment, and health outcomes.

Recommended App Features

1. Patient App:

   • Purpose: To support cancer patients by providing personalized mental health interventions, access to community support, teletherapy sessions, and mindfulness tools.
   • Reasoning: The core aim of the project is to provide mental health support for cancer patients. A patient-facing app allows users to access support whenever they need it, from personalized resources based on their treatment stage to teletherapy options and community support groups.
   • Benefit for the Project: By making mental health tools and community support available in a single, user-friendly mobile app, patients are more likely to engage consistently, leading to improved mental health outcomes, increased treatment adherence, and reduced stigma around mental healthcare.
   • Benefit for Sutter Health Culture: Promotes a patient-centric approach by making mental health support easily accessible. Aligns with Sutter Health's dedication to holistic patient care, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being as part of overall health outcomes.

2. Care-Giver App:

   • Purpose: To provide resources and mental health support for caregivers, including stress management tools and strategies tailored to the cancer care journey.
   • Reasoning: Caregivers often face immense stress when supporting patients. Including them in the scope of the app offers resources specific to their needs, providing stress management strategies, community support, and access to group therapy sessions.
   • Benefit for the Project: Enhances the mental health of caregivers, which in turn supports patients more effectively. A dedicated caregiver module helps address secondary stress experienced by those who support patients directly, improving the overall caregiving experience.
   • Benefit for Sutter Health Culture: Fosters a comprehensive approach to care that extends beyond patients to include their caregivers. Aligns with the organization's values of providing supportive care not only to patients but also to their extended support systems.

3. Collaborative Messaging or Community Features:

   • Purpose: To facilitate group sessions, peer support, and connection with others experiencing similar challenges.
   • Reasoning: Group support and a sense of community can significantly alleviate feelings of isolation for both patients and caregivers. Having a safe platform for sharing experiences and accessing peer support adds immense value to the care process.
   • Benefit for the Project: Encourages engagement through shared experiences, normalizing mental health struggles and fostering a supportive network. It also helps patients and caregivers feel connected and less isolated during a challenging time.
   • Benefit for Sutter Health Culture: Contributes to Sutter Health's community-driven healthcare model, focusing on creating strong, supportive networks within the patient and caregiver communities.

Recommended App Mix and Benefits

The optimal solution for this project includes a patient-focused app, a caregiver-focused module, and collaborative messaging/community features.

1. Benefits to the Project:

• Personalized and Immediate Support: The patient and caregiver modules ensure that tailored support is available anytime it is needed, improving mental health outcomes and treatment adherence.
• Enhanced Community Engagement: The community features reduce isolation, improve engagement, and allow patients and caregivers to benefit from shared experiences, leading to better overall emotional well-being.
• Integrated Mental Health Support: By integrating the mental health component into the broader cancer treatment plan, the app ensures that support is personalized, accessible, and aligned with the patient's physical health needs.

2. Supporting Sutter Health's Culture and Brand:

• Holistic Care Model: These features reinforce Sutter Health’s focus on whole-person care, recognizing the importance of mental well-being alongside physical health, which aligns with the organization's commitment to comprehensive healthcare.
• Supportive Environment for Patients and Caregivers: By providing tools for both patients and caregivers, the app supports the broader Sutter Health mission of improving quality of life and reducing healthcare disparities, particularly for vulnerable populations.
• Community-Focused Approach: The collaborative messaging feature fosters a sense of community, aligning with Sutter Health’s goal of creating a supportive, connected patient experience.