A Co-Design Study Developing an Early Prototype Intervention to Support Oral Anticancer Medication Use in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women and a leading cause of cancer-related death. The increasing use of oral anticancer medications (OAMs) shifts responsibility for medication management to patients, often without adequate support. This study aimed to co-design an early-stage prototype intervention to support patients with breast cancer in managing OAMs, using a patient-centered, participatory design approach. Patients and methods: We conducted three rounds of participatory design (PD) sessions with five patients receiving OAMs at a federally qualified health center's outpatient breast cancer clinic, in central Indiana. Eligible participants were 18 years old or older, diagnosedwith breast cancer, and currently taking OAMs. The PD process involved three stages: (1) Inspiration-patients identified key challenges in OAM management; (2) Ideation-patients co-developed potential solutions; and (3) Convergence-patients evaluated and selected preferred design concepts. Results: Participants (median age: 66; range: 38-75) identified key challenges, including side-effect management, difficulty navigating resources, and lack of clear information. Ten solution ideas were generated and grouped into three categories: resource booklet, care navigation/support, and transportation assistance. Two priority prototypes emerged: (1) a physical breast cancer handbook, and (2) an interactive treatment navigation app. Participants favored the ease of use from the handbook while appreciated the mobile app's potential for bidirectional communication and peer support features. Conclusion: This study highlights the value of engaging patients as co-designers in the early stages of intervention development. Both the physical handbook and interactive app show potential to support OAM adherence and management. While the two design concepts require further refinement before implementation and pilot testing, the findings offer valuable insight for potential interventions in the context of oral anticancer medications used for treating breast cancer.