USER-CENTERED digital solutions may ease care pathways for plastic surgery patients with non-melanoma skin cancer.
User-Centered Digital Solutions for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common malignancy in fair-skinned populations and its incidence is rising with age. This study explored how user-centered digital solutions might support plastic surgery patients along complex treatment journeys. The authors adapted a Persona-based design framework to identify unmet needs and potential digital health tools for this high-risk group.
Researchers conducted a phone survey with 70 adults previously treated for non-melanoma skin cancer at a single plastic surgery unit. Most participants were male and had basal cell carcinoma, while a smaller group presented with squamous cell carcinoma. Comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, overweight and obesity were frequent, underscoring the need for coordinated, multidisciplinary care and attention to adherence.
Persona-Based Design to Map Patient Needs
Using demographic and clinical data, an interdisciplinary focus group created a representative Persona named Pino, a 67-year-old man with diabetes, hypertension, and invasive basal cell carcinoma of the scalp. Pino worries about prolonged hospital stays and struggles to keep track of preoperative and postoperative instructions. He also has difficulty reproducing dressings correctly and maintaining long-term adherence to prescribed therapies.
Through this Persona, the team highlighted recurring themes, including anxiety about access to medical information, desire for timely reassurance from clinicians, and reliance on family or carers for digital tasks. Notably, more than ninety percent of surveyed patients could call on someone to help them use a smartphone or tablet, suggesting that user-centered digital solutions do not need to exclude individuals with lower digital literacy.
Translating Insights into Practical mHealth Tools
The proposed mHealth concept combines a shared digital calendar for appointments with integration to a smart pillbox that prompts medication use and records adherence. A digital education package would host clear instructions, written prescriptions and video tutorials on postoperative dressings, which patients could review at home between visits. An AI-supported chatbot embedded within the solution could triage routine questions, provide structured self-care guidance and signpost when telemedicine or in-person review is needed.
The authors conclude that Persona-based, user-centered design can help teams in plastic surgery and teledermatology to better understand the lived experience of non-melanoma skin cancer. Further research should test the feasibility, usability and clinical impact of these mHealth pathways in real-world practice.
Reference: Cavaliere A et al. Innovative approach to designing user-centred digital solutions for plastic surgery patients with non-melanoma skin cancer. Frontiers in Public Health. 2025;13:1685882.
