Digital Check-Ins Dramatically Reduce Hospital visits for Cancer Patients, Mayo Clinic Study Finds
A new approach to cancer care leveraging digital technology and remote support teams is substantially reducing emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and improving patients’ quality of life, according to a groundbreaking study led by Mayo Clinic researchers. The findings offer a scalable solution to address the frequently enough-overlooked challenges of symptom management faced by individuals undergoing cancer treatment.
For many living with cancer, debilitating symptoms like pain, anxiety, and insomnia can quickly escalate into medical emergencies. These urgent care needs not only carry a substantial financial burden but also take a significant emotional toll on patients and their caregivers.
The study, published in The Lancet Oncology in 2025, demonstrates that proactively managing symptoms through automated digital check-ins and a dedicated remote care team can prevent crises before they occur. “Our goal was simple but aspiring: to proactively address the challenges cancer patients face outside of scheduled appointments,” explains Dr. Cheville.
Trial (E2C2) helped her regain restful sleep despite the anxiety surrounding her diagnosis. “I was continually Googling for more information about treatments,prognosis,new terminology and the experiences of others,” Johnson,program director for the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences sonography Program,recounted. “and the steroid medications I took for treatment prior to chemo messed with my ability to sleep, too. It got to a point where my body’s norm was to wake in the middle of the night and not fall back asleep, taking a toll on my ability to heal.”
As part of the trial, Johnson regularly completed digital surveys detailing her health status. When insomnia became a prominent concern, a nurse promptly reached out, offering guidance on sleep hygiene and providing access to a self-paced online course based on cognitive behavioral therapy. “A virtual or phone call visit, especially when I didn’t have anything physically wrong, was so convenient and efficient,” Johnson said.”The intervention helped, and my sleep improved.”
The success of the E2C2 trial hinged on the progress of automations within the Plummer Chart, Mayo clinic’s electronic health record (EHR) system. Between 2019 and 2023, over 50,200 patients across 15 cancer specialties enrolled in the trial. Participants completed brief surveys regarding pain, fatigue, sleep, anxiety, and other symptoms, either before clinic visits or monthly between appointments. The system automatically categorized responses: mild scores were logged, moderate scores triggered self-care tips, and severe scores prompted outreach from a remote symptom care manager – a nurse or social worker providing support via phone or video.
This system functioned as both an automated triage tool and a crucial safety net. It streamlined information flow to patients, allowing care teams to concentrate on complex cases requiring their expertise. For patients, it provided easier access to support without the need for additional appointments or travel.
The trial results were compelling. Patients reported reduced levels of anxiety and depression, alongside modest improvements in other symptoms. Critically, patients experienced a 40% to 60% decrease in acute care encounters, including emergency visits, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions.
Remarkably, these gains were achieved with a lean team: just 2-3 full-time care managers, supplemented by 20% of one physician’s time, supported the entire cohort of over 50,000 study participants.
The E2C2 trial demonstrates a novel submission of digital tools in cancer care. By automating symptom monitoring and triage through the EHR,a small care team can effectively support a large patient population. “The gains we saw are encouraging and point to a scalable way to extend supportive oncology care beyond the clinic walls, meeting patients where they are,” Dr. Cheville stated.”The next step is to ensure that these tools are available to healthcare teams, enabling them to efficiently reach every patient who needs supportive care.”
The trial was funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute (NCI) as part of the Cancer Moonshot℠ and conducted as part of NCI’s IMPACT consortium. Further details regarding authors, disclosures, and funding can be found in the complete study available here.
