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Aim: To explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with meditation among people with melanoma and investigate the relationship between perceived stress, trait mindfulness, and meditation. Factors associated with interest to participate in an online meditation program were also explored. Methods: A survey-based cross-sectional study of 291 patients attending a melanoma outpatient clinic assessed knowledge of meditation, attitudes toward meditation using Determinants of Meditation Practice Inventory (DMPI), and meditation experience. Perceived stress and trait mindfulness were measured using the Perceived Stressed Scale and Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale, respectively. Results: Participants who had tried meditation (43%) were likely to be younger, female, and have completed higher education or be employed. Perceived stress score was higher among women, younger participants, and those treated in the past year but did not differ by melanoma stage. Participants reported a good understanding of the potential benefits of meditation, but even among people with meditation experience, common misconceptions prevailed. The main barrier to meditation was a perceived lack of knowledge about meditation . Higher DMPI scores were associated with lower education, moderate to low access to service centers, or living in disadvantaged neighborhoods . Participants practicing meditation that involved self-reflection reported less stress and higher trait mindfulness compared with participants practicing another type of meditation. People interested in participating in an online meditation-based program reported higher perceived stress than those not interested. Conclusion: A meditation-based intervention teaching self-reflective practices, targeted at people with melanoma, may have the potential to assist them with managing their stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the internet, and in particular e-health, in chronic illness is a burgeoning phenomenon but its use to date in cancer care is somewhat limited. In this study an iterative consultative process was undertaken with the aim to develop a cancer care website that was patient-led, facilitated cancer self-management and had the potential to improve communication between patients, family and friends and health care professionals. The process involved multiple demonstrations of an already established base platform (SeeCare©) to potential end users (patients, family members and friends and health professionals) to identify required functions of a cancer care specific platform. An exhaustive list of specifications was prioritised and operationalised resulting in a web platform for people affected by cancer that was ready for testing in the clinical setting: CanCare. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Health ICT is rapidly gaining popularity among policy makers and health consumers. Specific platforms for use in cancer care are missing. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]