Intervention
gynecologic cancer, Mishel
EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY, GYNECOLOGIC CANCER
A health care team consisting of 3 gynecologic oncologists, 1 psychologist, and 2 oncology nursing specialists designed the MGCS program. An information technology company technically developed and subsequently maintained the MGCS program. The Mishel theory outlines 4 main components of uncertainty in illness: antecedents (stimuli frame and structure providers), appraisal (danger and opportunity), coping, and adaptation [The MGCS program has 4 modules: weekly topics, emotional care, discussion center, and health consultation [Four modules of the mobile app for gynecologic cancer support program.Different strategies were provided to make MGCS content easy to understand, such as the use of graphics, images, short videos, emoticon pictures, and plain language. The perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of the MGCS program were assessed by 8 patients with GC receiving chemotherapy, and they all found that this program provided useful information and was easy to use. No major components and contents were changed during the implementation of the program.Participants in the intervention group were given a QR code to download the MGCS onto their mobile phones (Android and iOS versions available). Once access to the app was approved by the researchers, participants could use their mobile phone number and a self-set password to access the MGCS program when and where needed. The researchers offered 30-minute individual face-to-face training to participants on how to use the 4 modules. Training included assisting participants to explore the content in the modules of weekly topic and emotional care as well as to write their first message in the modules of discussion center and health consultation. When participants logged into the app for the first time, a tutorial guide video was displayed initially. Once viewed, the video was automatically saved in the tutorial section of the individual center for future reference. Participants could seek technical assistance in the help section in the individual center. Access to the app automatically expired 24 weeks after activation.Participants in both groups received routine care from health care workers during their stay in the hospitals for each cycle of chemotherapy. Before the first chemotherapy cycle, the patient’s oncologist offered information regarding chemotherapy and chemotherapy-related side effects. The ward nurse provided written information on how to manage the side effects of chemotherapy and answered any question. Currently, there are no app-based programs to help patients with GC to cope with uncertainty and the side effects of chemotherapy at the participating hospitals.