Relating caregiver experiences to personalized “push” content in mobile applications among caregivers of pediatric patients with oncology conditions

Abstract

ObjectiveWith the evolution of data algorithms and personalized push systems in mobile applications, patients who have searched for disease‐related information may repeatedly receive similar content on app homepages or through notifications. This study aims to assess the influence of health‐related content delivered through mobile applications on the anxiety and depression levels of caregivers of pediatric oncology patients.MethodsA survey consisting of 16 questions was conducted among 91 caregivers of pediatric oncology patients at the Children's Hospital affiliated with Chongqing Medical University. The questionnaire was designed by oncologists and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess the caregivers’ psychological states.ResultsThe study found that 31.5% of caregivers exhibited borderline anxiety symptoms, while 20.2% displayed borderline depression symptoms. Caregivers who noticed changes in homepage recommendations reported higher levels of anxiety (p = .004) and depression (p = .034). Additionally, 50.6% occasionally felt anxious or uneasy due to personalized notifications and 19.1% frequently felt this way. Moreover, 53.9% of the caregivers reported a negative impact on their emotions or daily life.SignificancePersonalized push notifications related to disease information in mobile applications can impose a significant psychological burden on patients and their caregivers. Mobile application developers and healthcare providers must strengthen their support in the digital health domain to enhance the emotional well‐being of cancer patients and their caregivers.