Barriers and facilitators of adherence to the use of ASICA, a digital app designed to support melanoma survivors: concise report of a qualitative study.
Maria NtessalenSajan McCorkindaleAlbana KrasniqiHeather M MorganJulia L AllanPeter MurchiePublished in: Clinical and experimental dermatology (2023)
We developed the Achieving Self-directed Integrated Cancer Aftercare (ASICA) in melanoma app to support monthly total-skin-self-examinations (TSSE) by melanoma survivors. A randomized 12-month trial demonstrated ASICA supported optimal monthly TSSE adherence in one third of participants. However, a further third of participants adhered well initially but subsequently dropped off, and a final third did not adhere at all. This follow-up qualitative study investigated trial participants' perceptions of barriers and facilitators to TSSE adherence using the app. Three former trial participants participated in a single focus group and 11 participated in new semi-structured telephone interviews. These were analysed thematically alongside secondary analysis of 12 qualitative interviews conducted during the trial. All transcripts were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically. Five themes encompassing barriers and facilitators to ASICA adherence emerged. These were: technology; role of others; tailoring; disease journey, and competing priorities. These data will inform further development of ASICA to increase user-adherence.
Keyphrases
- phase iii
- study protocol
- phase ii
- clinical trial
- young adults
- glycemic control
- primary care
- randomized controlled trial
- healthcare
- skin cancer
- squamous cell carcinoma
- systematic review
- papillary thyroid
- type diabetes
- mass spectrometry
- skeletal muscle
- adipose tissue
- high resolution
- squamous cell
- deep learning
- weight loss