scholarly journals The views of cancer clinicians regarding an app to help patients with cancer to meet their information needs: a qualitative interview study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Richards ◽  
Paul Kinnersley ◽  
Kate Brain ◽  
John Staffurth ◽  
Fiona Wood
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Care ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Gynecological Cancer ◽  
Smart Devices ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Doctor Patient Communication ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Inpatient Settings

BACKGROUND Many patients with cancer have unmet information needs during their illness. Smart devices, such as smart phones and tablet computers, provide an opportunity to deliver information to patients remotely. We aimed to develop an app intervention to help patients with cancer to meet their illness-related information needs in non-inpatient settings. As well as in depth exploration of the issues faced by the target users of a potential intervention, it is important to gain an understanding of the context in which it will be used and the potential influences on the intervention. The support of clinicians will be key to the successful implementation of this type of app in practice and second to patients themselves, clinicians have an awareness of their patients’ needs and can provide further insight into the type of app and features that might be most beneficial. OBJECTIVE This study explored the views of cancer clinicians on this type of intervention and whether they would support the use of an app in cancer care. Specifically, the perceived acceptability of an app, useful app features, and the potential benefits and disadvantages of, and barriers to, app use were explored. METHODS Twenty qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 clinicians from urological, colorectal, breast, or gynecological cancer clinics across two hospitals in South Wales. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Clinicians anticipated that many patients would want to use an app for cancer care and felt it would be acceptable for patients to use such an app, including in consultations. The benefits of this type of app were anticipated to be a more informed patient, an increased sense of control for patients, better doctor-patient communication, and a more efficient and effective consultation. In contrast, an increase in clinicians’ workload and poorer communication in consultations, depending on included app features, were identified as potential disadvantages. The anticipated barriers to app use included patients’ age and prior experience with smart technology, access to smart devices, confidentiality of information, and an avoidant coping approach to their condition. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that there would be support from clinicians for their patients to use an app to help them to meet their information needs, both at home and during consultations. This study highlights some of the potential barriers for this type of intervention in practice, which could be minimised during intervention design.

scholarly journals The preferences of patients with cancer regarding an app to help them to meet their illness-related information needs: a qualitative interview study. (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Richards ◽  
Paul Kinnersley ◽  
Kate Brain ◽  
John Staffurth ◽  
Fiona Wood
Keyword(s):  
Information Exchange ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Related Information ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Inpatient Settings ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Question Prompt List

BACKGROUND The shift from inpatient to outpatient and community cancer care means that more patients with cancer are required to manage their condition at home, without the direct supervision of their clinician. Subsequently, research has reported that many patients with cancer have unmet information needs during their illness. Mobile devices, such as mobile phones and tablet computers, provide an opportunity to deliver information to patients remotely. We aimed to develop an app intervention to help patients to meet their illness-related information needs in non-inpatient settings. In-depth qualitative research was required in order to gain an understanding of the views of the target users prior to design of the intervention. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the information needs of patients with cancer and their preferences for an app and desired app features. Specifically, the perceived acceptability of an app, desired app features and the potential benefits and disadvantages of, and barriers to, an app were explored. METHODS Qualitative, one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients with urological, colorectal, breast or gynecological cancers (n=23) across two hospitals in South Wales. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Findings indicated that barriers to information exchange and understanding in consultations, and identification of reliable information sources between consultations, appeared to contribute to patients’ unmet information needs. Consequently, app feature suggestions included a question prompt list, glossary of cancer terms, resources feature and a contacts feature. Anticipated benefits of this type of app included a more informed patient, improved quality of life, decreased anxiety and increased confidence to participate in their care. The anticipated barriers to app use are likely to be temporary or can be minimized with consideration of these findings during app development and implementation. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights cancer patients’ desire for an app intervention to help them to meet their information needs during and between consultations with their clinicians. This study also highlights the anticipated acceptability and benefits of this type of intervention, however further research is warranted.

scholarly journals The Preferences of Patients With Cancer Regarding Apps to Help Meet Their Illness-Related Information Needs: Qualitative Interview Study

10.2196/14187 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. e14187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Richards ◽  
Paul Kinnersley ◽  
Kate Brain ◽  
John Staffurth ◽  
Fiona Wood
Keyword(s):  
Information Exchange ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Related Information ◽  
App Development ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Question Prompt List

Background The shift from inpatient to outpatient and community cancer care means that more patients with cancer need to manage their condition at home, without the direct supervision of their clinician. Subsequently, research has reported that many patients with cancer have unmet information needs during their illness. Mobile devices, such as mobile phones and tablet computers, provide an opportunity to deliver information to patients remotely. Before designing an app intervention to help patients with cancer to meet their information needs, in-depth qualitative research is required to gain an understanding of the views of the target users. Objective We aimed to develop an app intervention to help patients meet their illness-related information needs in noninpatient settings. This study explored the information needs of patients with cancer and their preferences for an app and desired app features. Specifically, the perceived acceptability of an app, desired app features, and the potential benefits and disadvantages of, and barriers to, an app were explored. Methods Qualitative, one-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted with patients with urological, colorectal, breast, or gynecological cancers (N=23) across two hospitals in South Wales. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results Findings indicated that barriers to information exchange and understanding in consultations, and identification of reliable information sources between consultations, appeared to contribute to patients’ unmet information needs. Consequently, app feature suggestions included a question prompt list, a glossary of cancer terms, a resources feature, and a contacts feature. Anticipated benefits of this type of app included a more informed patient, improved quality of life, decreased anxiety, and increased confidence to participate in their care. The anticipated barriers to app use are likely to be temporary or can be minimized with regard to these findings during app development and implementation. Conclusions This study highlights the desire of patients with cancer for an app intervention to help them meet their information needs during and between consultations with their clinicians. This study also highlights the anticipated acceptability and benefits of this type of intervention; however, further research is warranted.

scholarly journals Use of Mobile Devices to Help Cancer Patients Meet Their Information Needs in Non-Inpatient Settings: Systematic Review (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Richards ◽  
Paul Kinnersley ◽  
Kate Brain ◽  
Grace McCutchan ◽  
John Staffurth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Handheld Device ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Inpatient Settings ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Mobile Interventions

BACKGROUND The shift from inpatient to outpatient cancer care means that patients are now required to manage their condition at home, away from regular supervision by clinicians. Subsequently, research has consistently reported that many patients with cancer have unmet information needs during their illness. Mobile devices, such as mobile phones and tablet computers, provide an opportunity to deliver information to patients remotely. To date, no systematic reviews have evaluated how mobile devices have been used specifically to help patients meet to their information needs. OBJECTIVE A systematic review was conducted to identify studies that describe the use of mobile interventions to enable patients with cancer meet their cancer-related information needs in non-inpatient settings, and to describe the effects and feasibility of these interventions. METHODS MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched up until January 2017. Search terms related to “mobile devices,” “information needs,” and “cancer” were used. There were no restrictions on study type in order to be as inclusive as possible. Study participants were patients with cancer undergoing treatment. Interventions had to be delivered by a mobile or handheld device, attempt to meet patients’ cancer-related information needs, and be for use in non-inpatient settings. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists were used to assess the methodological quality of included studies. A narrative synthesis was performed and findings were organized by common themes found across studies. RESULTS The initial search yielded 1020 results. We included 23 articles describing 20 studies. Interventions aimed to improve the monitoring and management of treatment-related symptoms (17/20, 85%), directly increase patients’ knowledge related to their condition (2/20, 10%), and improve communication of symptoms to clinicians in consultations (1/20, 5%). Studies focused on adult (17/20; age range 24-87 years) and adolescent (3/20; age range 8-18 years) patients. Sample sizes ranged from 4-125, with 13 studies having 25 participants or fewer. Most studies were conducted in the United Kingdom (12/20, 52%) or United States (7/20, 30%). Of the 23 articles included, 12 were of medium quality, 9 of poor quality, and 2 of good quality. Overall, interventions were reported to be acceptable and perceived as useful and easy to use. Few technical problems were encountered. Adherence was generally consistent and high (periods ranged from 5 days to 6 months). However, there was considerable variation in use of intervention components within and between studies. Reported benefits of the interventions included improved symptom management, patient empowerment, and improved clinician-patient communication, although mixed findings were reported for patients’ health-related quality of life and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS The current review highlighted that mobile interventions for patients with cancer are only meeting treatment or symptom-related information needs. There were no interventions designed to meet patients’ full range of cancer-related information needs, from information on psychological support to how to manage finances during cancer, and the long-term effects of treatment. More comprehensive interventions are required for patients to meet their information needs when managing their condition in non-inpatient settings. Controlled evaluations are needed to further determine the effectiveness of these types of intervention.

scholarly journals Coping with Febrile Illness in Children: A Qualitative Interview Study of Parents

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urzula Nora Urbāne ◽  
Dita Gaidule-Logina ◽  
Dace Gardovska ◽  
Jana Pavāre
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Parental Knowledge ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate parental perception of febrile illness in their children, the most commonly applied management practices, as well as the expectations from clinicians when coping with fever in children. The study included parents of patients admitted to the Emergency and Observation Department of Children’s Clinical University Hospital in Rīga, Latvia. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews. All interviews were transcribed, and the transcripts analysed by inductive thematic analysis. Thirty-four parental interviews were analysed. Six themes emerged from the study, which were: signs causing concern; beliefs regarding fever; assessment and monitoring of fever; fever management practices; help-seeking behaviour; and expectations from the healthcare personnel. Many parents believed that fever could potentially cause injuries to the nervous system, kidneys, the brain, other internal organs, and even cause death. The perceived threat of fever resulted in frequent temperature measurements and administration of antipyretics. Meeting the emotional and information needs of the parents were considered as equally important to meeting the child’s medical needs. The study found that fever phobia exists among parents. Parental misconceptions of fever lead to overly zealous management practices. Parental education initiatives must be organised in order to improve parental knowledge of fever and its management in children.

Psycho-Oncology: Structure and Profiles of European Centers Treating Patients With Gynecological Cancer

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1520-1524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Hasenburg ◽  
Frederic Amant ◽  
Leen Aerts ◽  
Astrid Pascal ◽  
Patriciu Achimas-Cadariu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Gynecological Cancer ◽  
Psychological Support ◽  
Sexual Problems ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Oncological Care ◽  
Training And Research

ObjectivePsycho-oncological counseling should be an integrated part of modern cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the structures and interests of psycho-oncology services within European Society of Gynecological Oncology (ESGO) centers.MethodsIn 2010, a survey, which consisted of 15 questions regarding organization of psycho-oncological services and interests in training and research, was sent to all ESGO-accredited centers (n = 41).ResultsThe response rate was 65.8% (27 centers). 96.3% (n = 26) of the surveys came from universities, and 3.7% (n = 1) came from nonacademic institutions. Most of the institutions (92.6%, n = 25) offer psycho-oncological care, mainly by psychologists (64%, n = 16) or psycho-oncologists (48%, n = 12). Fifty-two percent of patients are evaluated for sexual dysfunction as sequelae of their disease or treatment-related adverse effects. Fifty-two percent (n = 14) of institutions offer psychological support for cancer care providers. Eighty-five percent (n = 23) of all centers are interested in psycho-oncological training, and the preferred teaching tools are educational workshops (87%). The main issues of interest are sexual problems in patients with cancer, communication and interpersonal skills, responses of patients and their families, anxiety and adjustment disorders, and palliative care. Eighty-five percent (n = 17) of the 20 institutions look for research in the field of psycho-oncology, and 55% (n = 11) of those are already involved in some kind of research.ConclusionsAlthough psycho-oncological care is provided in most of the consulted ESGO accredited centers, almost 50% of women lack information about sexual problems. The results of the survey show the need for and interest in psycho-oncology training and research, including sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, psychological support should be offered to all cancer care providers.

scholarly journals User-driven efforts in creating knowledge graph information system

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-111
Author(s):  
Stanislava Gardasevic
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Resource Discovery ◽  
The Body ◽  
Knowledge Graph ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper presents the results of a qualitative study that involved students of an interdisciplinary PhD program. The study objective was to gather requirements to create a knowledge graph information system. The purpose of this study was to determine information-seeking practices and information needs of this community, to inform the functionalities of a proposed system, intended to help students with relevant resource discovery and decision-making. Design/methodology/approach The study design included semi-structured interviews with eight members of the community, followed by a website usability study with the same student participants. Findings Two main information-seeking styles are recognized and reported through user personas of international and domestic (USA) students. The findings show that the useful information resides within the community and not so much on the program website. Students rely on peer communication, although they report lack of opportunities to connect. Students’ information needs and information seeking are dependent on their progress through the program, as well as their motivation and the projected timeline. Practical implications Considering the current information needs and practices, a knowledge graph hosting both information on social networks and the knowledge produced by the activities of the community members would be useful. By recording data on their activities (for example, collaboration with professors and coursework), students would reveal further useful system functionalities and facilitate transfer of tacit knowledge. Originality/value Aside from the practical value of this research that is directly influencing the design of a system, it contributes to the body of knowledge on interdisciplinary PhD programs.

scholarly journals The role of research in improving responsiveness of palliative care to migrants and other underserved populations in the Netherlands: a qualitative interview study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Torensma ◽  
B. D. Onwuteaka-Philipsen ◽  
X. de Voogd ◽  
D. L. Willems ◽  
J. L. Suurmond
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Migration Background ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Migrant Populations ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Palliative Patient

Abstract Background The aging of migrant populations across Europe challenges researchers in palliative care to produce knowledge that can be used to respond to the needs of the growing group of patients with a migration background and address ethnic disparities in palliative care. The aim of this study was to identify what factors influence researchers’ efforts to address responsiveness of palliative care to patients with a migration background and other underserved populations in their projects. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 researchers involved in seven projects under the Dutch national program for palliative care innovation. Results Researchers’ efforts to address responsiveness of palliative care in their projects were influenced by individual factors, i.e. awareness of the need for responsiveness to patients with a migration background; experience with responsiveness; and, differences in perceptions on responsiveness in palliative care. Researchers’ efforts were furthermore influenced by institutional factors, i.e. the interaction with healthcare institutions and healthcare professionals as they rely on their ability to identify the palliative patient with a migration background, address the topic of palliative care, and enrol these patients in research; scientific standards that limit the flexibility needed for responsive research; and, the responsiveness requirements set by funding agencies. Conclusion Researchers play a key role in ensuring research addresses responsiveness to patients with a migration background. Such responsiveness may also benefit other underserved populations. However, at times researchers lack the knowledge and experience needed for responsive research. To address this we recommend training in responsiveness for researchers in the field of palliative care. We also recommend training for healthcare professionals involved in research projects to increase enrolment of patients with a migration background and other underrepresented populations. Lastly, we encourage researchers as well as research institutions and funding agencies to allow flexibility in research practices and set a standard for responsive research practice.

scholarly journals “Smartphone Apps Are Cool, but Do They Help Me?”: A Qualitative Interview Study of Adolescents’ Perspectives on Using Smartphone Interventions to Manage Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3289
Author(s):  
Anja Čuš ◽  
Julian Edbrooke-Childs ◽  
Susanne Ohmann ◽  
Paul L. Plener ◽  
Türkan Akkaya-Kalayci
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
Nonsuicidal Self Injury

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a major mental health problem associated with negative psychosocial outcomes and it most often starts in early adolescence. Despite this, adolescents are rarely involved in informing the development of interventions designed to address their mental health problems. This study aimed to (1) assess adolescents’ needs and preferences about future interventions that are delivered through smartphones and (2) develop a framework with implications for designing engaging digital mental health interventions. Fifteen adolescent girls, aged 12–18 years, who met diagnostic criteria for a current NSSI disorder and were in contact with mental health services, participated in semi-structured interviews. Following a reflexive thematic analysis approach, this study identified two main themes: (1) Experiences of NSSI (depicts the needs of young people related to their everyday experiences of managing NSSI) and (2) App in Context (portrays preferences of young people about smartphone interventions and reflects adolescents’ views on how technology itself can improve or hinder engaging with these interventions). Adolescent patients expressed interest in using smartphone mental health interventions if they recognize them as helpful, relevant for their life situation and easy to use. The developed framework suggests that digital mental health interventions are embedded in three contexts (i.e., person using the intervention, mental health condition, and technology-related factors) which together need to inform the development of engaging digital resources. To achieve this, the cooperation among people with lived experience, mental health experts, and human computer interaction professionals is vital.

scholarly journals “I actually got my first job through my ex-colleague”: Employment-related information seeking behavior of Bangladeshi immigrants in Canada

2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062199280
Author(s):  
Nafiz Zaman Shuva
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Occupational Status ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Immigrant Professionals ◽  
Government Of Canada ◽  
First Job

This study explores the employment-related information seeking behaviour of Bangladeshi immigrants in Canada. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with 60 Bangladeshi immigrants in Ontario, Canada, and obtained 205 survey responses. The study highlights the centrality of employment-related settlement among Bangladeshi immigrants in Ontario and reports many immigrants not being able to utilize their education and skills after arrival in Canada. The results show that Bangladeshi immigrants utilize various information sources for their employment in Canada, including friends and professional colleagues, online searchers, and settlement agencies. Although Bangladeshi immigrants utilized a large array of information sources for meeting their employment-related information needs, many interview participants emphasized that the employment-related benefits they received was because of their access to friends and professional colleagues in Canada. The survey results echoed the interview findings. The cross-tabulation results on post-arrival information sources and occupation status as well as first job information sources and occupational status in Canada show a significant association among the use of the information source “friends and professional colleagues in Canada” and immigrants’ occupational status. The study highlights the benefits of professional colleagues among immigrants in employment-related settlement contexts. It also reports the challenges faced by many immigrant professionals related to employment-related settlement because of the lack of access to their professional friends and colleagues in Canada. The author urges the Federal Government of Canada, provincial governments, and settlement agencies working with newcomers to offer services that would connect highly skilled immigrants with their professional networks in Canada, in order to get proper guidance related to obtaining a professional job or alternative career. The author calls for further studies on employment-related information seeking by immigrants to better understand the role information plays in their settlement in a new country.

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