Using a Mobile Messenger Service as a Digital Diary to Capture Patients' Experiences Along Their Interorganizational...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Digital Health
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Mobile messenger services present a novel approach for data collection in cancer research.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the considerations for employing this method in clinical oncology research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss lessons learned from using a qualitative digital diary via a mobile messenger service in oncology care.
• To provide insights for researchers considering this data collection method.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative digital diary method utilizing a mobile messenger service.
• Analysis of data quality, practical aspects, and data protection considerations.

Main Results:

• The interactive nature of messenger-based digital diaries is well-suited for phenomenological approaches, yielding high-quality, real-time data.
• Key considerations include participant-researcher interaction, technicalities, and stringent data security measures.

Conclusions:

• Digital diaries via mobile messenger services can generate valuable qualitative data in cancer research.
• Careful attention to data privacy, information security, and practical implementation is crucial for successful adoption.