Developing a digital psychosocial support program for men with low-risk prostate cancer during active surveillance
Background: Active surveillance (AS) is a preferred treatment for men with low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer, but its psychosocial impact presents challenges. This study used design thinking to develop a digital psychosocial support program aimed at improving quality of life and health outco...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Internet Interventions |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782925000545 |
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| author | Kim Donachie Michel Hansma Marian Adriaansen Erik Cornel Esther Bakker Lilian Lechner |
| author_facet | Kim Donachie Michel Hansma Marian Adriaansen Erik Cornel Esther Bakker Lilian Lechner |
| author_sort | Kim Donachie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Active surveillance (AS) is a preferred treatment for men with low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer, but its psychosocial impact presents challenges. This study used design thinking to develop a digital psychosocial support program aimed at improving quality of life and health outcomes for men on AS. Methods: The design process followed five phases: Empathy, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. Stakeholder interviews were conducted to generate a problem statement. Brainstorming in the ideation phase conceptualized a self-management application and a framework of the application's features was developed. A prototype was developed in close collaboration with end-users and experts. The testing phase included heuristic evaluations and feedback from patients and healthcare providers. Results: Interviews during the empathy phase highlighted the need for personalized care, timely information, and holistic and tailored support. The defined problem statement aimed at reducing the psychosocial burden and improving coping mechanisms during the first year of AS. Ideation involved multidisciplinary brainstorming sessions, resulting in the concept of a self-management application with features such as information, appointment preparation, self-reporting of medical results, lifestyle guidance, relaxation exercises, and communication tools. A prototype application was developed. Testing showed strengths in navigation and design, with recommendations for improving error handling and help documentation. Feedback led to refinements enhancing usability and clinical integration. Conclusion: This study developed a patient-centered self-management application to address psychosocial challenges in AS. By fostering engagement, self-efficacy, and communication, the tool aims to improve outcomes in prostate cancer management. Future clinical studies will evaluate its effectiveness. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2d2a4965a06941ef83c2ab7ba1e321f7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2214-7829 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Internet Interventions |
| spelling | doaj-art-2d2a4965a06941ef83c2ab7ba1e321f72025-08-26T04:14:20ZengElsevierInternet Interventions2214-78292025-09-014110085310.1016/j.invent.2025.100853Developing a digital psychosocial support program for men with low-risk prostate cancer during active surveillanceKim Donachie0Michel Hansma1Marian Adriaansen2Erik Cornel3Esther Bakker4Lilian Lechner5HAN University of Applied Sciences, Health Academy, Kapittelweg 33, 6525EN Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Corresponding author at: HAN University of Applied Sciences, Health Academy, P.O. Box 6960, 6503 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands.HAN University of Applied Sciences, Health Academy, Kapittelweg 33, 6525EN Nijmegen, the NetherlandsHAN University of Applied Sciences, Health Academy, Kapittelweg 33, 6525EN Nijmegen, the NetherlandsAndros Clinics, Meester E.N. van Kleffensstraat 5, 6842 CV Arnhem, the NetherlandsOpen University, Faculty of Psychology, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT Heerlen, the NetherlandsOpen University, Faculty of Psychology, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT Heerlen, the NetherlandsBackground: Active surveillance (AS) is a preferred treatment for men with low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer, but its psychosocial impact presents challenges. This study used design thinking to develop a digital psychosocial support program aimed at improving quality of life and health outcomes for men on AS. Methods: The design process followed five phases: Empathy, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. Stakeholder interviews were conducted to generate a problem statement. Brainstorming in the ideation phase conceptualized a self-management application and a framework of the application's features was developed. A prototype was developed in close collaboration with end-users and experts. The testing phase included heuristic evaluations and feedback from patients and healthcare providers. Results: Interviews during the empathy phase highlighted the need for personalized care, timely information, and holistic and tailored support. The defined problem statement aimed at reducing the psychosocial burden and improving coping mechanisms during the first year of AS. Ideation involved multidisciplinary brainstorming sessions, resulting in the concept of a self-management application with features such as information, appointment preparation, self-reporting of medical results, lifestyle guidance, relaxation exercises, and communication tools. A prototype application was developed. Testing showed strengths in navigation and design, with recommendations for improving error handling and help documentation. Feedback led to refinements enhancing usability and clinical integration. Conclusion: This study developed a patient-centered self-management application to address psychosocial challenges in AS. By fostering engagement, self-efficacy, and communication, the tool aims to improve outcomes in prostate cancer management. Future clinical studies will evaluate its effectiveness.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782925000545Prostate cancerActive surveillanceDesign thinkingPsychosocial supportE-health interventions |
| spellingShingle | Kim Donachie Michel Hansma Marian Adriaansen Erik Cornel Esther Bakker Lilian Lechner Developing a digital psychosocial support program for men with low-risk prostate cancer during active surveillance Internet Interventions Prostate cancer Active surveillance Design thinking Psychosocial support E-health interventions |
| title | Developing a digital psychosocial support program for men with low-risk prostate cancer during active surveillance |
| title_full | Developing a digital psychosocial support program for men with low-risk prostate cancer during active surveillance |
| title_fullStr | Developing a digital psychosocial support program for men with low-risk prostate cancer during active surveillance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Developing a digital psychosocial support program for men with low-risk prostate cancer during active surveillance |
| title_short | Developing a digital psychosocial support program for men with low-risk prostate cancer during active surveillance |
| title_sort | developing a digital psychosocial support program for men with low risk prostate cancer during active surveillance |
| topic | Prostate cancer Active surveillance Design thinking Psychosocial support E-health interventions |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782925000545 |
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