What the study found
The study found several associations between engagement and patient or caregiver characteristics, but these associations were inconsistent in how strong they were and what they showed. There was more evidence that baseline characteristics affected engagement than evidence that engagement affected outcomes.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that digital interventions may need formal assessment of engagement. They suggest that using multiple measures of engagement can provide additional insight.
What the researchers tested
The researchers carried out a sub study analysis of the DIAdIC trial involving iFOCUS, a web-based self-directed psychoeducational program for people with advanced cancer and their caregivers. The abstract does not give further methodological details.
What worked and what didn't
Using multiple measures of engagement did provide additional insights. The abstract does not specify which engagement measures worked best or which outcomes were affected.
What to keep in mind
The abstract notes inconsistencies in the associations, and it does not provide detailed methods, sample size, or specific outcome measures in the available summary. Limitations beyond this are not described in the provided text.
Key points
- The study found several links between engagement and patient/caregiver characteristics.
- Those links were inconsistent in their strength and pattern.
- Baseline characteristics appeared to influence engagement more than engagement influenced outcomes.
- Multiple engagement measures provided additional insight.
- The authors recommend considering engagement assessments for digital interventions.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Engagement related more to baseline characteristics than outcomes
- Authors:
- U Schmidt, Romy Van Rickstal, Vincent Van Goethem, Evi Bakker, Monika Pilch, Michael Connolly, Paul D’Alton, Catherine Jordan, Philip Larkin, Peter May, Katherine Bristowe, Silvia de Leo, Aline De Vleminck, Joachim Cohen, Laurel Northouse, P Hudson, DIAdIC Author Group, Suzanne Guerin
- Institutions:
- University College Dublin, University of Copenhagen, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Erasmus MC, Our Lady's Hospital, University of Lausanne, Trinity College Dublin, Cicely Saunders International, Azienda Sanitaria Unità Locale di Reggio Emilia, University of Michigan, St Vincent's Health
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-21
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Photo by Trnava University on Unsplash · Unsplash License
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