Becoming a digitised, informed cancer patient: The impact of e-books on patient experiences of care.
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Sociology
Abstract
Main Research Question
How does the materiality of e-books, and all that they allow as an innovative digital form of health information and production of knowledge, change the experience of becoming and being a cancer patient?
Sub-questions:
1. How is the e-book constructed? What are the processes and practices of knowledge production?
2. How are the e-books used by patients, relatives and practitioners? How do patients receive and engage with the content and the materiality?
3. How do the e-books change patient practices of seeking and sharing information and forming knowledge about their cancer diagnosis and treatment?
4. How does the use of e-books and the knowledge produced change care practices?
Why this is important?
The WHO states that cancer was responsible for 68% of all deaths globally in 2012. In 2011, 331,487 people in the UK were diagnosed with cancer and this is predicted to grow each year (Cancer Research UK, 2015). Gynecological cancers make up a significant number of cancers affecting women (uterine cancer is the 4th most common and ovarian the 5th).
3
Research suggests that women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer lack knowledge of their anatomy, which impacts negatively on their experience and recovery (Bowes et. al., 2014; Tarling et. al., 2013). The 2015 report from the British Independent Cancer Taskforce identifies patient experience as one of six priorities and states; "We have the opportunity to revolutionise the way we communicate with, and the information we provide to, cancer patients, using digital technologies." (4)
How does the materiality of e-books, and all that they allow as an innovative digital form of health information and production of knowledge, change the experience of becoming and being a cancer patient?
Sub-questions:
1. How is the e-book constructed? What are the processes and practices of knowledge production?
2. How are the e-books used by patients, relatives and practitioners? How do patients receive and engage with the content and the materiality?
3. How do the e-books change patient practices of seeking and sharing information and forming knowledge about their cancer diagnosis and treatment?
4. How does the use of e-books and the knowledge produced change care practices?
Why this is important?
The WHO states that cancer was responsible for 68% of all deaths globally in 2012. In 2011, 331,487 people in the UK were diagnosed with cancer and this is predicted to grow each year (Cancer Research UK, 2015). Gynecological cancers make up a significant number of cancers affecting women (uterine cancer is the 4th most common and ovarian the 5th).
3
Research suggests that women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer lack knowledge of their anatomy, which impacts negatively on their experience and recovery (Bowes et. al., 2014; Tarling et. al., 2013). The 2015 report from the British Independent Cancer Taskforce identifies patient experience as one of six priorities and states; "We have the opportunity to revolutionise the way we communicate with, and the information we provide to, cancer patients, using digital technologies." (4)
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000665/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 2080108 | Studentship | ES/P000665/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2021 | Aniela Bylinski Gelder |