A Qualitative Study of Internet Informational Support for Neck Cancer Patients

Objective To gain insight into neck cancer patients' supportive needs, explore patients' acceptability and preference of function toward an eHealth application, and provide the reference of content formulation of neck cancer application. Methods According to the phenomenological research methods, this study using semi-structured in-depth interview. There were 20 participants, among whom were 8 neck cancer patients, 5 family members and 7 care persons. According to Giorgi data analysis, meaningful content and summarizing the eHealth application module were extracted. Results Data were analyzed for 3 categories of needs (information, management of somatic symptoms, management of psychosocial symptoms) and 4 application functional modules (login, personal center, information support, health online community). Conclusion There are some unmet needs in the supportive care of neck cancer patients. Most survivors were positive towards the proposed eHealth application and expressed that eHealth application can become an assistive tool providing supportive care services for neck cancer patients.