Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
School of Research, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping university, Jönköping, Sweden.
BMC Health Serv Res. 2023 Aug 9;23(1):842. doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-09837-2.
Individuals undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer frequently request information before, throughout and after the treatment as a means to reduce distress. Nevertheless, the provision of information to meet individuals needs from their level of health literacy is often overlooked. Thus, individuals information needs are often unmet, leading to reports of discontent. Internet and digital information technology has significantly augmented the available information and changed the way in which persons accesses and comprehends information. As health information is no longer explicitly obtained from healthcare professionals, it is essential to examine the sequences of the health information process in general, and in relation to health literacy. This paper reports on qualitative interviews, targeting women diagnosed with breast cancer who were given access to a health information technology tool, Digi-Do, before commencing radiation therapy, during, and after treatment.
A qualitative research design, inspired by the integrated health literacy model, was chosen to enable critical reflection by the participating women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 women with access to a digital information tool, named Digi-Do, in addition to receiving standard information (oral and written) before commencing radiation therapy, during, and after treatment. A deductive thematic analysis process was conducted.
The results demonstrate how knowledge, competence, and motivation influence women's experience of the health information process. Three main themes were found: Meeting interactive and personal needs by engaging with health information; Critical recognition of sources of information; and Capability to communicate comprehended health information. The findings reflect the women's experience of the four competencies: to access, understand, appraise, and apply, essential elements of the health information process.
We can conclude that there is a need for tailored digital information tools, such as the Digi-Do, to enable iterative access and use of reliable health information before, during and after the radiation therapy process. The Digi-Do can be seen as a valuable complement to the interpersonal communication with health care professionals, facilitating a better understanding, and enabling iterative access and use of reliable health information before, during and after the radiotherapy treatment. This enhances a sense of preparedness before treatment starts.
接受乳腺癌放射治疗的个体在治疗前、中、后经常会请求获取信息，以此来减轻痛苦。然而，提供符合其健康素养水平的信息常常被忽视。因此，个体的信息需求往往得不到满足，导致不满情绪的出现。互联网和数字信息技术显著增加了可获取的信息，并改变了人们获取和理解信息的方式。由于健康信息不再明确地从医疗保健专业人员那里获取，因此有必要全面审查健康信息流程，以及与健康素养相关的流程。本文报告了针对接受放射治疗前、中、后使用健康信息技术工具 Digi-Do 的乳腺癌患者的定性访谈。
采用受综合健康素养模型启发的定性研究设计，使参与的女性能够进行批判性反思。对 15 名使用数字信息工具（名为 Digi-Do）的女性进行了半结构化访谈，这些女性在接受放射治疗前、中、后还获得了标准的信息（口头和书面）。采用演绎主题分析过程。
结果表明，知识、能力和动机如何影响女性对健康信息流程的体验。发现了三个主要主题：通过参与健康信息满足互动和个人需求；对信息来源的批判性认识；以及交流和理解健康信息的能力。研究结果反映了女性对健康信息流程四个能力的体验：获取、理解、评估和应用，这是健康信息流程的重要组成部分。
我们可以得出结论，需要定制化的数字信息工具，如 Digi-Do，以便在放射治疗前、中、后迭代地获取和使用可靠的健康信息。Digi-Do 可以作为与医疗保健专业人员进行人际沟通的有益补充，帮助他们更好地理解，在放射治疗前、中、后迭代地获取和使用可靠的健康信息，增强治疗开始前的准备感。
