Table 4 Preferences concerning specific intervention components and considerations for implementation
Component | Preferences | Implementation considerations |
|---|---|---|
Monitoring of alcohol or tobacco use | It is experienced as offering insight into drinking and smoking patterns. However, for some it could be too confronting, especially when goals of moderation or cessation are not met, leading people to not report drinking or smoking truthfully. | This emphasizes the need for an accepting, non-judgemental tone-of-voice throughout the program. |
Peer support | Some take great support from it and emphasize benefits such as a better understanding of the cancer experience and the possibility to talk in a light-hearted way about the cancer experience. Whereas others had experienced that forums often contain negative experiences or unverified information, invoking negative emotions and worries. | Cancer survivors suggest to incorporate peer support in a non-prominent way, offering cancer survivors the choice to either engage with it or not and include monitoring of the platform to prevent the spread of false information. |
Involvement of own social network (family and friends) | A clear preference for a supportive role instead of a correcting role: preference for compliments for SC or AM efforts and implicit support such as not offering cigarettes or alcohol, but not repeatedly asking whether someone had smoked or how many drinks they had had. | The social network does not always know how to best support cancer survivors or SC and AM efforts. At the same time, cancer survivors can be hesitant to let people help, recognizing the impact of the cancer experience on their family and friends. |
Moment of addressing AM or SC | Some would like AM and SC addressed at the start of treatment because then they see its potential benefits, but others would only be receptive to it after finishing the treatment phase, as they have too many things on their mind during treatment. | Flexibility in moment of addressing SC or AM. |
Digital delivery mode | Essential to a digital program would be the protection of personal data, not fearing that anyone but the patients themselves could get hold of their data. It should be easy to use, on both smartphones and tablets, and it should be inviting during the most difficult moments of AM and SC. | Guidance, regular updates and interactive content could help motivate use of the intervention. |