Digital tools in cancer screening for people in a vulnerable position

Interview with Corine Oldhoff-Nuijsink, researcher on Human Factors Engineering.

Digital tools in healthcare can help people in multiple ways. For example, in cancer screening digital tools are used to inform and to help in decision making about screening participation. Digital tools offer the option to present information in animations, videos or decision aids. However, these digital tools are not designed for everyone. What is the usability of digital tools for people in a vulnerable position? What are their needs and how can these tools be adapted to be useful. Corine Oldhoff-Nuijsink conducts research on the design of digital tools for people in a vulnerable position.

Why do you focus on the development of digital tools for people in a vulnerable position?

Digital tools are often seen as THE solution to reach and inform as many people as possible. The tools can be distributed through several canals and offer the possibility for tailoring. However, many developed tools are not tailored to the needs of end users, this can lead to frustration and dissatisfied users. I am focussed on this topic to use the potential that digital tools offer, in such a way that benefit all invitees.

What do you hope to achieve?

I want to work on digital tools for cancer screening that enable screening invitees to take control of their own cancer prevention. This means that invitees can independently make an informed decision about participation, schedule appointments and read or view information at their own level. This ensures satisfied healthcare users and more efficient healthcare provision.

Do you have tips for developers and designers of digital tools?

Involve end users in the whole design process of a digital tool, from the first brainstorm session to the final evaluation of the tool. Let users feel valued and comfortable, provide them timely with the results of the study they participated in. Support the end users and be available for questions.   

What are your future plans?

Developing a client portal tailored to the needs of the users (information based on preferences including cultural aspects, age, health status etc.). I also want to incorporate timely information, like a screening invitee mentioned during a co-creation session “It would be helpful that after for example receiving a positive test result of the colorectal screening test, the client portal would directly provide me information about the following steps”.

Want to read more?

Corine Oldhoff-Nuijsink et al. Digital tools to support informed decision making among screening invitees in a vulnerable position for population-based cancer screening: A scoping review. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 2024.