Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41105868›Full record

ArticleJournal of medical Internet research2025

Acceptability of the RecoverEsupport Digital Health Intervention Among Patients Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery: Qualitative Study.

Emma Sansalone, Jennifer White, Alison Zucca, Owen James Morris, Mitch J Duncan, Stephen Smith, Priscilla Viana da Silva, Anna Palazzi-Parsons, Rebecca Wyse

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of medical Internet research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing 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

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Trial
  3. Observational
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

9 authors.

Emma SansaloneSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle Australia, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, +61 405422098.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0001-0024-4828
Jennifer WhiteSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle Australia, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, +61 405422098.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1235-0916
Alison ZuccaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle Australia, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, +61 405422098.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0613-6307
Owen James MorrisCalvary Mater Newcastle Hospital, Hunter New England Local Health District, Waratah, NSW, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5426-8473
Mitch J DuncanSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9166-6195
Stephen SmithSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle Australia, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, +61 405422098.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1104-133X
Priscilla Viana da SilvaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle Australia, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, +61 405422098.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6498-5975
Anna Palazzi-ParsonsSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle Australia, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, +61 405422098.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-4157-3170
Rebecca WyseSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle Australia, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, +61 405422098.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4872-2112

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery guidelines aim to optimize perioperative care and improve recovery outcomes. The guidelines contain clinician- and patient-led recommendations for pre- and postoperative care, with patient-led recommendations, including smoking cessation, early mobilization, and early resumption of eating and drinking. While adherence to these recommendations can improve recovery outcomes, it is typically low, and many patients require support. Digital health interventions (DHIs) are increasingly accepted as useful tools in delivering individualized health care and have the potential to support adherence to enhanced recovery after surgery guidelines. Evidence suggests that intervention use is optimized when DHIs are considered acceptable to end users. RecoverEsupport is a DHI designed to support patient adherence to surgical recovery guidelines, following breast cancer surgery, intended as part of a blended approach with standard care. Objective: The study aimed to explore the surgical experiences and perceived acceptability of the RecoverEsupport DHI among former patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. Methods: This qualitative study, underpinned by a constructivist paradigm, explored the recovery experiences and acceptability of RecoverEsupport among women who had undergone mastectomy for breast cancer at a tertiary hospital in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. In total, 57 eligible patients were identified from medical records and invited to participate. Among them, 15 consented and were given access to the RecoverEsupport DHI for approximately 2 weeks. Around 11 participants then participated in a semistructured interview exploring their recovery experiences and feedback on the DHI. Interviews were transcribed and double coded prior to analysis using an inductive thematic approach. Results: Participants reported varied experiences of breast cancer surgery and expressed a consistent need for support, with many reporting uncertainty, anxiety, and limited information and physiotherapy support. RecoverEsupport was perceived as acceptable, with strong potential to reduce anxiety, address gaps in care, and provide reassurance. Participants valued the practical content, particularly physiotherapy exercise videos, which reinforced clinician advice and promoted confidence, autonomy, and self-efficacy. The intervention was seen as empowering patients to manage recovery and support their physical and emotional needs. All participants reported that they would recommend RecoverEsupport to others undergoing breast cancer surgery, highlighting its potential as a valuable adjunct to usual care. Conclusions: RecoverEsupport was perceived as a valuable adjunct to standard perioperative care. Four key themes were identified. Participants reported that the program addressed key gaps in information, physiotherapy access, and emotional support, while complementing clinical care. The intervention was seen to empower patients by enhancing knowledge, confidence, and self-efficacy, enabling a more active role in their recovery. It also provided reassurance during a vulnerable period. These findings highlight the potential of DHIs to support patients within constrained health care systems and enhance recovery outcomes.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsPatient Acceptance of Health CareAdultAgedDigital HealthFemaleHumansMastectomyMiddle AgedQualitative Researchbehaviorbreast cancerbreast surgerydigital technologyeHealthoncologypatient-centred care

Identifiers

PMID41105868
PMCPMC12537582

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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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.