Lived experiences from participating in a digital psychosocial support intervention after gyneacological cancer

Abstract: Women`s lived experiences from participating in a digital psychosocial support intervention, after gynecological cancer treatment Background: Gynaecological cancer survivors worldwide experience shortcomings in today’s rehabilitation and follow-up after cancer treatment. Many suffer from bodily changes and mental distress for years after treatment. Based upon these unfulfilled needs in healthcare, a digital psychosocial support intervention named Gynea has been developed. The Intervention aims to improve the women’s Quality of Life and life skills by increasing their involvement and self-management when adjusting to life after gynecological cancer treatment. Aim: This study aims to explore the lived experiences of gynecological cancer survivors who have participated in a digital intervention. Methodology: The study uses a phenomenological life world approach to gain an understanding of what it is like to use a digital program in the follow up. Phenomenological research approach opens to explore the women’s relation, interaction, and perception of the phenomenon. Individual in-depth interviews have been used, to ask the women how it was like for them to take part in the intervention as cancer survivors. Data consist of transrcribed interviews that are analyzed with Lindseth and Norberg’s phenomenological hermeneutical method for interpreting interview texts. Results: Preliminary findings that we would like to present on the conference are: Digital care as genuine care describes the experiences of a holistic care approach in a digital computer programme. Normalization as a source to empowerment, describe the experience of recognizing oneself within other patients in similar situation. Demanding but lifesaving, desribes the personal effort in processing the cancer experience