Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38965131›Full record

ArticleJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2026

What is needed for improved uptake and adoption of digital aftercare programs by cancer survivors: a mixed methods study applying the COM-B model.

Liza van Deursen, Rosalie van der Vaart, Niels H Chavannes, Jiska J Aardoom

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In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Effect of a digital tool on breast cancer specific health-related quality of life and psychological distress: secondary results from the ADAPT study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Trial
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Investigating the early uptake of digital self-management interventions amongst Dutch cancer survivors using nationwide registry data-the OncoAppstore case.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Article
  5. Co-Design of the Structured Personalised Assessment for Reviews After Cancer (SPARC) Intervention.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2025
    Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Liza van DeursenDepartment of National Health and Health Care, Center for Public Health, Health Care and Society, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie Van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands. liza.van.deursen@rivm.nl.
Rosalie van der VaartDepartment of National Health and Health Care, Center for Public Health, Health Care and Society, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie Van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
Niels H ChavannesNational eHealth Living Lab, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Jiska J AardoomNational eHealth Living Lab, Leiden, the Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionCancer survivors face physical, lifestyle, psychological, and psychosocial challenges. Despite the availability of aftercare services, survivors still have unmet needs. Digital aftercare programs may offer support, but their use is limited. This study aimed to examine what is needed to improve uptake and adoption of these programs. Additionally, it explored sociodemographic and clinical variables that may influence these needs.

methodsA mixed-methods approach was used, involving qualitative interviews and a questionnaire. The research was guided by the COM-B model of behaviour, which considers capability, opportunity, and motivation crucial for behaviour. Qualitative analysis was performed using the framework method. Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics and regression analysis.

resultsFourteen cancer survivors were interviewed, and 213 participants completed the questionnaire. Findings indicated that most respondents had a positive or neutral attitude towards digital aftercare programs, believing these could address their cancer-related challenges. Still, only a small percentage had experience with them, and most were unaware of their existence. Many expressed a desire to be informed about them. Some were uncertain about their effectiveness. Others were concerned about a lack of reimbursement. No significant influence of the sociodemographic and clinical variables was found.

conclusionCancer survivors are generally positive about digital aftercare programs but are often unaware of their availability. Raising awareness, clarifying their value, and providing support and reimbursement could enhance uptake and adoption. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The current insights can help improve participation in digital aftercare programs, ultimately fostering health, well-being, and quality of life of cancer survivors.

Indexed as

AftercareCancer SurvivorsNeoplasmsAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchQuality of LifeSurveys and QuestionnairesTelemedicineBehaviourCancerCOM-BDigitale-healthFollow-upOncologyPsycho-oncologyQuality of careSurvivorship

Identifiers

PMID38965131
PMCPMC12906513

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.