Needs of Patients With Gynecologic Cancer and Their Caregivers for Obtaining mHealth-Supported Self-Management - Focus Group Study

Sep 22, 2026

Family caregivers of people with gynecologic cancer experience substantial distress, yet web-based caregiver support can be limited by portability. This study targeted the design of an mHealth self-management app for both patients and caregivers by identifying desired usage, information needs, and app features. Zoom semistructured focus groups analyzed perceived gaps, preferred functions, and attitudes toward app use, including requirements for privacy and controllable sharing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Caregiver distress and gynecologic cancer context

Existing caregiver needs and support gaps

JMIR CANCER Campbell et al Original Paper Needs of Patients With Gynecologic Cancer and Their Caregivers for Obtaining mHealth-Supported Self-Management: Focus Group Study | Grace B Campbell1,2,3, RN, MSW, PhD; Hansol Kim3, PhD; Tara C Klinedinst3,4,5, PhD, OTR/L; Julie Klinger3, MA; Young Ji Lee6,7, PhD, RN; Heidi S Donovan6, PhD, RN | | --- | | 1School of Nursing, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
2Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States 3National Rehabilitation Research & Training Center on Family Support, Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor of the Schools of the Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
4Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Tulsa, OK, United States 5Department of Internal Medicine, OU-TU School of Community Medicine, Tulsa, OK, United States
6Department of Health and Community Systems, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States 7Department of BIomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Corresponding Author:
Grace B Campbell, RN, MSW, PhD School of Nursing
Duquesne University
600 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA, 15282 United States
Phone: 1 412 417 8804
Email: [campbellg2@duq.edu](campbellg2@duq.edu)
Abstract | Background: Family caregivers of individuals with gynecologic cancer experience high levels of distress. Web-based caregiver support interventions have demonstrated efficacy in improving caregiver outcomes. However, the lack of portability could be alimitation. Mobile health (mHealth) apps could fill this gap and facilitate communication between patient-caregiver dyads. Objective: We sought to obtain information on desired usage and features to be used to design an mHealth self-management support app targeting both patients with gynecologic cancer and their caregivers. Methods: We conducted Zoom focus groups with women who had been treated for gynecologic cancers (ovarian, fallopian, primary peritoneal, uterine, endometrial, cervical, and vulvar); patients were also asked to invite a self-identified “closest support person”(caregiver) . A semistructured focus group guide was used to elicit information on patients’ and caregivers’ perceived gaps in information and support, desired features of an mHealth app, and interest in and preferences for app usage. After transcription, rapid qualitative analysis using a thematic matrix was used to identify common themes across groups. Results: A total of 8 groups were held. The final sample included 41 individuals with gynecologic cancer and 22 support persons or caregivers (total n=63) . Patients were aged between 32 and 84 years, and most (38/41, 93%) were White and married. For caregivers (n=22), 15 (68%) identified as male and 7 (32%) as female, with ages ranging between 19 and 81 years. Overall, 59%(n=13) of caregivers were spouses. Questions geared at eliciting 3 a priori topics yielded the following themes: topic 1—gaps in information and support: finding relevant information is time-consuming; patients and caregivers lack confidence in deciding the urgency of problems that arise and from whom to seek information and guidance; topic 2—desired features of the mHealth app: patients and caregivers desire centralized, curated, trustworthy information; they desire timely recommendations tailored to specific personal and cancer-related needs; they desire opportunities to interact with clinical and peer experts through the app; and topic 3—interest and preferences for app usage: need for private space in the app for patients and caregivers to get information and support without the others’knowledge; patients and caregivers desire having control over sharing of information with other family members. [https://cancer.jmir.org/2024/1/e48465](ht

FAQs

What was the purpose of this focus group study on mHealth self-management?

To gather information on desired usage and features for an mHealth self-management support app aimed at both patients with gynecologic cancer and their caregivers.

How were participants recruited and what method was used to analyze the data?

Zoom focus groups were conducted with treated patients and an invited self-identified closest support person; rapid qualitative analysis using a thematic matrix identified common themes across groups.

What key information or support gaps did patients and caregivers report?

They reported that finding relevant information is time-consuming and that they lack confidence in judging urgency and deciding whom to seek information and guidance from.

Sep 22, 2026

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