Author: Joran Geeraerts
Date: 17-12-2025
Supervisors:
Prof. Dr. Lieve Van den Block, End-of-Life Care Research Group, VUB
Prof. Dr. Lara Pivodic, End-of-Life Care Research Group, VUB
Prof. Dr. Mark De Ridder, UZ Brussel, VUB
Abstract
People with advanced cancer often experience an array of symptoms and reduced well-being. To better understand and address these challenges, new research methods are needed that capture people’s experiences in real time.
This thesis focused on experience sampling methods (ESM), for which individuals complete short questionnaires about their symptoms and well-being several times a day, typically through smartphones. Unlike traditional questionnaires, which rely on weekly recall, ESM could provide a detailed picture of how symptoms and well-being fluctuate during daily life.
The work in this thesis adapted ESM for people with advanced cancer and evaluated its use. In a study with people living with advanced breast or lung cancer, most participants were able to complete up to 10 brief questionnaires per day for a week with most reporting positive study experiences. Importantly, ESM captured moment-to-moment changes that traditional questionnaires missed, revealing differences between individuals who otherwise appeared similar. Additionally, interviews with healthcare professionals showed that they see potential value for using ESM in clinical practice, especially for identifying patients’ needs and enabling timely, personalized support.
This work demonstrates that the use of ESM is feasible and insightful in advanced cancer. It lays the foundation for future research on what drives daily fluctuations and how ESM could be integrated into clinical care.
