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‘It’s not as easy as that’ Perceptions of eHealth-enabled physical activity interventions among cancer survivors
ABSTRACT
Background:
Achieving adequate levels of physical activity (PA) is especially important for cancer survivors to mitigate against the side effects of cancer and its treatment as well as other health benefits. Electronic Health (eHealth) based PA interventions may offer feasible alternatives to traditionally delivered programmes and optimize physical recovery after a cancer diagnosis but perspectives of cancer survivors on this new delivery medium have not been extensively explored.
Objective:
This study aimed to explore perspectives of eHealth enabled PA interventions to inform the design of a future intervention among cancer survivors.
Methods:
The study took place in a designated cancer centre in Dublin, Ireland. A preceding questionnaire based study was conducted primarily to establish interest in participating in subsequent eHealth based studies. A follow on focus group study was conducted to explore the concept of eHealth based PA interventions for cancer survivors. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results:
The questionnaire based study (n=102) indicated a high level of interest in participating in follow-on eHealth based studies. The focus group study (n=23) indicated that despite some trepidation, overall positivity was expressed towards the concept of eHealth based PA interventions. Four themes emerged; 1. ‘’Health impact’’, including PA as a barrier and as a motivating factor, 2. ‘’Education needs’’ emphasised the need for integrated information about PA and to increase technical literacy, 3. Integrated ‘’goal setting’’ within the technical specification as a motivating factor, 4. ‘’support needs’’ and the importance of personalised human interaction in tandem with technology.
Conclusions:
Qualitative research at the pre-trial phase adds value to the design of a complex intervention and is especially useful in an emerging area such as eHealth. The findings highlighted interest in participating in eHealth focused research as well as barriers, training needs and key design features which can be applied to optimise the design of future eHealth-based PA interventions in cancer.
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