With Digi-Do, patients can choose when and how often they wish to access the information and can easily share it with family members and significant others in the comfort and safety of their own homes by downloading the applications to their personal smartphones. This approach allows individuals to decide what information they want, when they want it, how they prefer to receive it (text, video, images, or audio), and at what stage of their treatment journey they need it. We believe that this person-centred approach may increase patients’ sense of security, involvement, and empowerment while simultaneously providing a structured framework for the information delivered by healthcare professionals, as all parties know exactly what information is communicated through the applications.

The research programme is led by Maria Brovall and Frida Smith from the Regional Cancer Centre West and Chalmers University of Technology. Doctoral student Annika Grynne worked within the project and completed the doctoral thesis: "Caring in a Digital Age: Supporting Women Undergoing Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer with a Digital Information Tool Addressing Health Literacy, Distress, and Self-Efficacy."

The thesis presents both qualitative and quantitative findings from the doctoral project.

Abstract of the thesis

A breast cancer diagnosis is often associated with substantial emotional, physical, and practical challenges. Navigating treatment requires an understanding of complex information, which may be hampered by emotional distress and differences in health literacy. Radiotherapy, a central component of breast cancer treatment, places particular demands on patients and requires individualized preparation and support.

The aim of this doctoral thesis was to develop and evaluate a digital information tool for women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. The tool, developed in collaboration with patients and healthcare professionals, combines virtual reality technology with accessible and individualized information.

Participants reported several benefits, particularly the tool’s ability to reduce uncertainty and promote understanding, engagement, and participation in care. The thesis consists of four sub-studies that collectively demonstrate the potential of the tool to enhance patients’ sense of control and security. Participants appreciated its flexibility and the possibility of sharing information with family members and significant others.

The findings further suggest that digital solutions can complement face-to-face encounters, strengthen knowledge and patient participation, and have clinical relevance even when statistically significant effects are not always demonstrated.

For more information, see: Doctoral thesis: "Caring in a digital age: Supporting women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer with a digital information tool addressing health literacy, distress, and self-efficacy"

Since 2026, the Radiotherapy Department at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg has adopted the application, which has subsequently been modified, expanded to other diagnoses, and implemented in routine clinical practice. The hospital had been working for a considerable period to develop an application that could be used by patients, family members, and healthcare professionals, and Digi-Do was well suited for this purpose.

Read more in the article: Ny app underlättar för patienten inför strålbehandling (in Swedish) 

During 2027, the project will enter an implementation and accompanying research phase (process evaluation), focusing on how the updated version of the application is perceived, adopted, and used by patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer or prostate cancer. The aim is to generate knowledge about implementation processes, user engagement, perceived benefits, and factors that facilitate or hinder the successful integration of the application into routine clinical practice.