Chronic cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent a growing global health burden, where therapeutic compliance is critical for effective disease management and prevention of complications. Mobile health (mHealth) applications have emerged as promising tools to support patients in managing chronic conditions, yet their adoption remains inconsistent. Existing technology adoption models often fail to fully capture the psychological dimensions that influence patient decisions. This study addresses this gap by investigating how health beliefs shape the adoption of mHealth applications for therapeutic compliance among chronic CVD patients. The research integrates the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model (TRAM) to explore both psychological health beliefs and technology readiness traits in tandem. The study adopts a qualitative, exploratory design, employing semi-structured interviews with 11 CVD patients in the long-term management phase. Thematic analysis, supported by ATLAS.ti, was used to develop three key themes from participant narratives.

Overview
This Master’s thesis investigates how (former) cancer patients anticipate the psychosocial support of emerging digital tools designed to support the psychosocial wellbeing of people in general. In light of the global rise in cancer diagnoses and the persistent challenge of emotional distress among patients, digital tools such as virtual reality (VR), AI avatars, and sensor-based handheld devices have gained interest as potential support tools. Yet, little is known about whether these technologies align with patients’ expectations and their psychosocial needs.

Grounded in qualitative research and scenario-based design, this study explores how (former) cancer patients, in light of their emotional experiences and coping needs, anticipate the psychosocial support offered by three distinct digital tools, and their willingness to use them. Each digital tool is grounded in a different interaction modality (visual, conversational, and physical). Through twelve semi-structured interviews, the study captures not only the anticipated support of nine design features, three embedded in each of the three tools presented, but also whether (former) cancer patients are willing to use these tools.

The project was conducted within the MSc Management of Technology (MOT) program at TU Delft, which focuses on the strategic use of technology to address real-world challenges. In this case, the thesis contributes to improving the psychosocial wellbeing of cancer patients by informing the development and implementation of psychosocial support tools that align with the coping needs of patients.

Problem
Despite growing interest in digital interventions for cancer care, many tools designed to support psychosocial wellbeing are developed prior to investigating the expectations from patients. This creates a gap between the design of emerging technologies and the real coping needs of people living with or beyond cancer. Emotional distress is a common yet often under-supported aspect of the cancer journey, and digital tools hold promise in bridging this gap. However, when such tools do not align with patients’ expectations, values, or coping routines, they risk low engagement and thus low contributed support.

This study responds to the opportunity to evaluate the anticipated psychosocial support of digital tools before they are deployed, by directly engaging (former) cancer patients in reflecting on their needs and imagined tool use. Doing so enables early-stage insights that can inform more patient-centered digital health solutions. Addressing this gap is not only important for improving individual wellbeing but also for supporting healthcare systems, designers, and innovators in developing effective, acceptable, and scalable psychosocial support interventions.

Methodology
For this research, an exploratory research design was chosen. To inform realistic and relevant scenario development, the researcher first conducted preparatory interviews with representatives from three tech start-ups, each developed one of the tools presented. These insights helped shape three narrative tool scenarios, alongside one shared problem scenario, using principles of Scenario-Based Design (SBD).

All four scenarios were presented during semi-structured, one-on-one interviews conducted remotely through Microsoft Teams. Twelve participants with lived experience of cancer were recruited through personal and professional networks, using purposive sampling to ensure variation in cancer type and current stage. No demographic or clinical data were collected to protect participant anonymity and adhere to TU Delft’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) requirements.

Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using codebook thematic analysis. The interview guide and coding were guided by Outcome Expectancy Theory and allowed for both deductive and inductive insights. Thematic development focused on anticipated psychosocial outcomes of specific design features, alignment with coping needs, and willingness to use tools.

Key Findings
Participants identified five key coping needs relevant to emotional distress: (1) Calmness and emotional regulation (2) emotional pause, (3) emotional expression, (4) on-demand support, and (5) the need to preserve identity.

Digital features were anticipated to be helpful when they were non-verbal, sensory, easy to access, and flexible enough to turn them on and off. In contrast, features that were spoken, unportable, or identity-disruptive were often seen as hindering.

Importantly, willingness to engage with digital tools was shaped not only by anticipated psychosocial support, but also by whether the patient was emotional ready, had enough time and space to cope in private, and whether the tool was introduced by a trusted healthcare professional all played a critical role.

Conclusion and Recommendations
This study contributes two important insights. First, it introduces a patient-informed framework of coping needs that can guide the design of psychosocial supportive technologies. Second, it highlights the importance of timing, trust, and emotional readiness for successful implementation.

To design effective tools, developers should tailor features to support specific coping needs. To improve adoption, healthcare providers should introduce tools at emotionally appropriate moments and offer guidance. Together, these insights provide a foundation for future co-design efforts and more compassionate digital health solutions for people living with and beyond cancer.