Improves the quality of life in dialogue with patients

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Treatments against cancer often have severe side effects. Yvonne Wingstrom researches how care can improve the quality of life of patients undergoing such treatments. A consistent theme in her research is the involvement of patients themselves.

– Yvonne Wingstrom says it's largely about self-help. We ask patients what they consider to be the most important problems and develop tools with them to help them.

Yvonne Wengstrom has conducted research mainly on breast cancer patients. Ongoing studies are comparing how different exercise programs affect quality of life for this group of patients.

-We already know that exercise relieves discomfort during treatment and reduces the risk of relapse. But what type of exercise is best? We're finding out now.

Application for tablets and smartphones

Another line of Wengstrom's research relates to e-health. In randomized studies conducted on patients with various cancer diagnoses and older adults in home health care, the research group is investigating how an application for tablets and smartphones can be used as a starting point for communication between patient and care. The tool was developed in dialogue with users.

– In one study of prostate patients, we were able to obtain preliminary results: the group using our tool experienced fewer symptoms. In addition, the study showed that they appreciate the tool and feel interested in it.

Wengström's research also includes questions about how healthcare changes its work processes when implementing e-health applications.

Text: Anders Nilsson, first published in Cell to Society 2015.