A Focus Group Evaluation of Breathe Easier: A Mindfulness-Based mHealth App for Survivors of Lung Cancer and Their Family Members

Abstract

Purpose: To explore attitudes and acceptance (i.e., intent for future adoption) of survivors of lung cancer and their family members toward a dyad-focused mHealth mindfulness-based intervention (MBI). Approach: Focus groups. Setting: Community hospital setting in South Carolina. Participants: Survivors n = 11 (M = 64.6 years; 73% female; 64% African American) of non-small cell lung cancer (stage I-IIIa) and their family members, n = 8 (M = 58.6 years; 38% female; 75% African American). Intervention: A fully functional prototype mHealth app to deliver a tailored MBI for survivors of lung cancer and their family members. Method: Semi-structured focus groups were conducted and assessed using thematic data analysis to identify the benefits, concerns, needs, and expectations of the app. Results: Convenience and health were the top benefits of using the app, while cost and difficulty of use were the top concerns. Survivors mentioned benefits more than their family members did. Participants felt positively about adding a community network to the app. Finally, participants expected to hear about Breathe Easier from their care provider. Conclusion: Participants perceived a benefit to having credible health information delivered through an mHealth app. Guidance and credible health information regarding lung cancer survivorship should be accessible and convenient for everyone impacted by the disease. Thus, future research should explore platforms for a virtual support system and understanding dissemination of mHealth apps through health care providers.

A Prospective Pilot Study Evaluating Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of Breathe Easier: A Mindfulness-based Intervention for Survivors of Lung Cancer and Their Family Members (Dyads)

“…Dyadic interventions are described as holding great promise because they simultaneously target survivors, family members, and relationship factors that have an impact on health-related issues like symptom management and rehabilitation. 45,46 We found that some family members and friends were initially reluctant to participate but grew to value the experience as they realized the benefits to the survivor and, often unexpectedly, to themselves. Other studies recruiting survivors of lung cancer and partners found denial of the need for a support intervention to be the primary reason for refusing participation.…”

“…We developed and tested a mobile app prototype of this intervention that requires additional development and testing to maximize efficient delivery and potential widespread dissemination. 46,47…”

Acceptability and Use of Mind-Body Interventions Among African American Cancer Survivors: An Integrative Review

“…The other studies (1 focus group, 1 descriptive study, and 1 survey) included CAM as the primary topic. Beer et al’s study conducted 4 focus groups with 11 lung cancer survivors (64% African American) 18 and their family members. Hamilton et al’s qualitative descriptive study interviewed African Americans over age 50 who were survivors of any type of cancer.…”

“…Table 2 documents cross-sectional or qualitative studies (n = 6; 4 focus groups, 1 descriptive study, 1 cross-sectional survey-based study) that have examined the acceptability or use of CAM among AACS. Four of these descriptive studies included only AACS; 1 study included cancer survivors of various racial backgrounds (64%) identified as African American, 18 and one study included cancer survivors who were uninsured and of a minority background, with 98% identifying as African American. 17 …”

Measuring prevailing practices of healthcare professional on electronic health record through the lens of Iraq

“…In the era of globalization and transformation of technology nowadays, challenges started to arise and most of them are in terms of the ageing population and runway healthcare cost. e-health offers the opportunities to both public as well as private healthcare providers [16] in optimizing its services besides upgrading the quality of service and care to patients. e-health is defined as the "use of information and communications technologies (ICT) in support of health and health-related fields, including health-care services, health surveillance, health literature, and health education, knowledge and research".…”