Health literacy and self-management in long-term cancer survivors - participatory development and evaluation of a digital, diversity-sensitive offer to promote competence (HeLiS)

Project description

Background: More and more cancer survivors are living with long-term health and psychosocial challenges. After cancer, health restrictions, secondary diseases and psychosocial consequences of the disease or therapy can persist. Despite surviving, the need for support and guidance increases. Current digital services usually focus on coping with individual aspects of the disease or specific areas of life, while the direct promotion of health literacy and self-management of long-term survivors is often neglected. In particular, the diversity sensitivity of these services often leaves much to be desired, as the needs and expectations associated with individual diversity characteristics are insufficiently taken into account. In addition, barriers to use such as language problems can make access to support services more difficult.

Aims and approach: The HeLiS joint project aims to develop a diversity-sensitive digital service to strengthen the health literacy and self-management of long-term survivors. A participatory approach involves long-term survivors, relatives and patient representatives as co-researchers in the design of the service. An advisory board consisting of patient representatives and experts supports the project. A multi-stage mixed methods approach is being pursued: Starting with training for the co-researchers, followed by an analysis of existing services, which are then discussed in focus groups. Based on the results, a prototype of the digital offer will be developed and piloted. A randomized, controlled intervention study with subsequent qualitative process evaluation will examine the effectiveness and acceptance of the service. The sub-project of the Chair of Digital Public Health is particularly involved in the conceptual development and participatory piloting of the user-oriented prototype and thus diversity-oriented digital service.

The project is funded by German Cancer Aid. The aim is to develop and scientifically evaluate a diversity-sensitive digital service to strengthen health literacy and self-management in long-term cancer survivors. The findings should help to further develop digital support services in line with demand and make them usable in the long term.

Important project partners are the University of Witten/Herdecke (network management) and the University Medical Center Greifswald (responsible for the quantitative evaluation of results).