Designing supportive e-interventions for partners of men with prostate cancer: a qualitative exploration of female partners’ experiences
ABSTRACT
Background:
Partners of men living with prostate cancer (PCa) can experience a variety of unmet needs which are largely unaddressed by healthcare professionals. There is limited evidence to suggest which approach may be most effective in supporting partners’ unmet needs and further focus is required to determine how to provide support to caregivers and how technology solutions can be designed.
Objective:
To explore the experience of partners of men living with PCa and their perceptions of the potential role of information technology in supporting their needs.
Methods:
17 female partners participated in the study with an average age of 64 years (SD 8.5). Two main themes emerged. In the first “How technology can be shaped to support female partners of prostate cancer survivors”, the content and design of the smartphone app was discussed in addressing female partners’ needs. Four sub-themes were developed: support from social networks and resources, lack of relevant information, demystifying future care expectations and delivering the smartphone app: to who and from whom. In the second theme, “The benefits and barriers of technology”, the suitability of smartphone apps as a supportive modality for female partners was described. This included three subthemes: the smartphone app as an appropriate modality for supporting female partners, the future anticipated benefits of using the smartphone app and concerns for storing and accessing information online.
Results:
17 women participated in the study with an average age of 64 years (SD 8.5). Two main themes emerged. In the first “The pros and cons of technology”, the suitability of mobile applications as a supportive modality for partners was described and included the appropriateness of an app, the benefits of using an app and concerns around using technology. In the second theme, “How technology can be shaped to support partners of prostate cancer survivors”, the content and design of the app was discussed and included social networks and resources, specificity of content, what to expect during a prostate cancer diagnosis and how to deliver the app to consumers.
Conclusions:
A smartphone app may be a suitable modality for providing information and peer support to female partners of men living with Prostate Cancer (PCa). There is a need to provide peer support for female partners in future interventions to ensure that female partners’ intimacy and daily practical needs are met. Clinical Trial: n/a
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