A Design and Development Research Approach to Developing an E-Health Intervention for Individuals with Breast Cancer: A Study Protocol

Individuals with breast cancer (BC) frequently experience psychological distress, yet often underutilise mental health support services. E-health interventions hold promise for improving access to and engagement with mental health services. The current study aimed to develop and evaluate an evidence-based e-health video intervention designed to enhance the mental help-seeking intentions and behaviours of Malaysian individuals with BC. This study used the design and development research approach. There were three study phases: (i) needs analysis conducted through surveys with individuals with BC; (ii) e-health video design and development integrating healthcare professionals’ insights using the nominal group technique and in-depth interviews with individuals with BC; and (iii) evaluation of the intervention effectiveness with a quasi-experimental design. The primary outcomes included help-seeking intentions and behaviours, while the secondary outcomes were mental health literacy, self-stigma and attitudes towards help-seeking. This protocol outlined a multi-phase approach to developing and evaluating an e-health intervention to support mental health of individuals with BC. The resulting intervention could significantly influence clinical practice and health policy by addressing the mental health needs of individuals with BC across the multicultural Malaysian population. Additionally, the methodology could be a model for developing similar interventions for other chronic illnesses and contribute to the broader field of e-health and patient-centered care.