Author: Vincent Van Goethem
Date: 10-09-2024
Supervisors:
Prof. Luc Deliens, End-of-Life Care Research Group, Ghent University
Prof. Joachim Cohen, End-of-Life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Prof. Lore Lapeire, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Department of medical oncology
Prof. Aline De Vleminck, End-of-Life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Abstract
A serious illness, such as advanced cancer, has a severe impact on the quality of life of both patients and their family caregivers. The use of technology to engage, inform, support, and empower users is called eHealth and could be a feasible and scalable way to provide additional support for patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers.
This dissertation explores the numbers, characteristics, and experiences of family caregivers of people with serious illnesses. It also describes the development of a dyadic psychoeducational eHealth program (iFOCUS), designed to support patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers. Additionally, the dissertation presents findings from the DIAdIC randomized controlled trial, focusing on trial recruitment and retention, effectiveness, and the sustainable implementation of psychoeducational programs both within and beyond the DIAdIC trial context.
