Women with breast cancer stories about divergent approaches of obtaining information of health, diagnosis, and treatment: A deductive approach based on dimensions of health literacy

For women diagnosed with breast cancer, radiation therapy (RT) is one of several treatment modalities offered. Most women express a desire for information before the treatment enabling them to prepare and feel safe. This need of information continues throughout the RT. Difficulties to assimilate health information gained from reading, personal meetings, or digital technology may relate to lower health literacy (HL). HL is a dynamic concept that encompasses skills such as reading and interpret information about one's health. Digital technology offers innovative ways to gain information. To facilitate relevance and reach of science it must be evaluated before implementation. The women participating in this study had access to a new digital information tool, Digi-Do. The Digi-Do comprises two separate but coherent applications for mobile devises: One virtual reality (VR) application, with a guided tour of the RT-department and an information application with focus on cancer and RT. The aim of the study was to illuminate the experience of digital versus analog ways of seeking and assimilate information for women diagnosed with breast cancer.