Beliefs, attitudes and acceptance towards an eHealth tool to support oral hormonal therapy in breast cancer: A qualitative study. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Breast cancer survivors (BCS) frequently experience social, psychological challenges during the period of survivorship. These range from social, psychological and medical challenges during survivorship. Medication management like adherence and sideeffects are among the most frequent challenges reported. EHealth tools have been claimed to have the potential to support cancer survivors. OBJECTIVE The main objective of the present study was to assess BCS’ and Health Care Practitioners' (HCP) beliefs, attitudes, needs and expectations during breast cancer (BC) survivorship with a specific focus on the use and acceptability of eHealth intervention to support oral hormonal therapy (OHT) adherence. METHODS A total of 14 BC survivors, three BC nurses, four oncologists and three pharmacists were interviewed. Qualitative, semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted in French, German or Luxembourgish. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and anonymized. A thematic analysis was then performed. RESULTS BC survivors were recruited from three main cancer sites in Luxembourg, they had all been prescribed OHT and their age ranged between 42 and 68 years. The interviews revealed 6 themes (patient to survivor shift, personalized follow-up, adherence and side effect management, survivorship companion, barriers of usability, facilitators of usability) and 18 sub themes. HCP interview’s findings suggested 5 themes (shift of responsibility, personalized consultations, barriers of usability, facilitators of usability and real-time remote monitor) and 12 sub themes. All participants accepted the concept of an eHealth tool to support OHT management. Results highlighted a need for personalized real-time communication between HCP and BCS. BCS believe that an eHealth tool has the potential to provide information, motivation, reassurance and support. HCPs need a system that allows them to personalize their consultations. HCPs’ main concern with an eHealth tool is the potential additional workload such a tool could bring along. CONCLUSIONS The eHealth intervention to support BCS during their OHT is accepted by both BCS and HCPs. Such an eHealth tool could play an essential role in the shift from patient to survivors and thus support BCS during this key period of medication initiation and implementation.