Background: Lung cancer has one of the highest incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Physical activity can provide those diagnosed with lung cancer with several physical and psychological benefits. However, the examination of digitally delivered physical activity to those with lung cancer is not as researched as other common cancers. Often, those diagnosed with lung cancer are older adults (65 years or older). Older adults are often wrongly assumed to lack digital skills, interest, and not engage with digital technology regularly. Although individuals are interested, would involving older people in designing of websites and apps result in better engagement?
Main body: In this article, the authors discuss the process of adapting a digital platform with a patient and public involvement group to provide those who have received a lung cancer diagnosis with a tailored physical activity program and health educational modules. We discuss the influence of recurrent patient and public involvement on the study, the patient and public involvement members, and the doctoral researcher.
Conclusion: Working with a patient and public involvement group over several months, especially potential users of a digital intervention, may enhance its relevance, accessibility, and usability. By engaging with patients, family, or caregivers for someone with lung cancer, the doctoral student gained insight into the needs of the study population and what to consider during development. All group members expressed their interest and enjoyment in their involvement, and several are now active members of a wider patient and public involvement network.
Keywords: Co-design; Digital health; Lung cancer; Patient and public involvement; Physical activity; Usability; eHealth.
This commentary describes how patient public involvement has been used to adapt a website called ExerciseGuide UK. This website provides a personalised physical activity program and education to those diagnosed with lung cancer. The programme is altered to allow for each patient’s capabilities. Reflections on how the study affected both the researcher and the PPI members are discussed. The commentary gives the patient and public involvement members a voice in their involvement experience. It highlights the difference that their sustained involvement made to the study, the doctoral researcher, and those who were involved. Globally, lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death and remains one of the most common types of cancer. Digital technology, such as websites, mobile applications, and smart wearable devices (e.g., Apple Watch and Fitbits), have increasingly been used in health research over the last few decades. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, research into digital technology has increased rapidly. Individuals diagnosed with lung cancer may experience a large number of physically and emotionally limiting symptoms, such as a higher risk of severe illness due to infections. With the large symptom burden they experience, digital technology may provide alternative and more accessible methods which can be altered to suit and help their specific needs. The patient and public involvement group members had all either been diagnosed with lung cancer, cared for someone with lung cancer, or experienced lung cancer in their family.
© 2022. The Author(s).