A growing body of evidence supports the efficacy of exercise training in the management of lung cancer. Home-based telerehabilitation may be a favourable model; however limited information is available about technology access, use and competency specifically in the 
lung cancer population.  

Aims: To identify the proportion of patients with lung cancer who access and use mobile phones, tablet devices or computers; and the patient profile of such individuals.  

Method: 23 participants (17 male, median ages 71 [IQR 63-72] years) with stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer, 1-13 months post diagnosis completed a technology questionnaire. Additional measures completed at time of diagnosis include: comorbidities, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group- Performance Status (function), six minute walk distance (functional exercise capacity) and questionnaires (physical activity levels, symptoms, mood, 
health-related quality of life). 

Results: 70% (n=16/23) of participants had a mobile phone, 4% (n=1/23) had a tablet device and 43% (n=10/23) had a computer. Thirty percent (n=7/23) of participants did not have a mobile phone, tablet device or computer; these individuals were older (p=0.013), had greater comorbidities (p=0.028), lower functional exercise capacity (p=0.048); and worse fatigue (p=0.002) and pain (p=0.006). The majority of participants with mobile phones did not have a smart phone (69%) and no participants used the internet on their phone. Seventeen percent (n=4/23) of participants used the internet daily on a computer, all other participants used the internet once a month or less. Only 13% (n=3/23) of participants rated their computer skills as adequate or higher. Skype and Facebook were only used by one participant.  

Conclusion: Access and use of smart phones, tablet devices and computers is relatively infrequent in an elderly population with early stage lung cancer from a tertiary acute hospital setting. Further studies are warranted to explore the acceptability of technology in the delivery of exercise rehabilitation in this population.