KPiD

Development and evaluation of a live chat for individualised information on cancer prevention and familial cancer risk

Duration: 01.05.2021 to 31.12.2025
Head: Prof. Dr. Doreen Reifegerste
Collaborator: Dr. Hanna Lütke Lanfer

Cancer is one of the most common diseases in Germany. Around 37% of all new cases can be attributed to lifestyle-related factors; genetic risks also play an important role in certain types of cancer. The need for information and the communicative accessibility of different population groups are closely linked to socio-structural characteristics and require comprehensible, individualised information on cancer prevention and early detection as well as on familial cancer risk.

This is where the "Cancer Prevention in Dialogue" project comes in. A digital live chat platform was developed, tested and evaluated at the DKFZ in a collaboration between the Cancer Information Service of the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), communication scientists from HMTM Hannover and Bielefeld University as well as representatives of cancer self-help organisations (BRCA network).

Bielefeld University was responsible for the scientific design and implementation of the qualitative formative and summative evaluation. The resulting findings were directly incorporated into the development of the chat service. The project results provided empirically sound findings on how digital dialogue services in the field of cancer prevention need to be designed and communicated in order to effectively address different population groups, including hard-to-reach target groups. On this basis, recommendations for action were derived, which serve as a basis for the further development of low-threshold information services.

The project was funded by the Helmholtz Association.

Publications:

Lütke Lanfer, H., Reifegerste, D., Memenga, P., Baumann, E., Weber, W., Geulen, J., Jaspersen, M., Hahne, A., Müller, A., & Weg-Remers, S. (2026). Gendersensible Ratgebermedien in der Krebsprävention: Entwicklung eines digitalen Chatangebots zur Erreichbarkeit von Männern. In U. Sauerbrey, T.-M. Menzel, & F. Hemmerich (Eds.), Digitale Ratgebermedien (pp. 341–358). Ergon – ein Verlag in der Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft. https://doi.org/10.5771/9783987401589-341

Luetke Lanfer, H., Reifegerste, D., Weber, W., Memenga, P., Baumann, E., Geulen, J., Klein, S., Müller, A., Hahne, A. & Weg-Remers, S. (2024). Digital clinical empathy in a live chat: multiple findings from a formative qualitative study and usability tests. BMC health services research, 24(1), 314. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10785-8

Luetke Lanfer, H., Reifegerste, D., Berg, A., Memenga, P., Baumann, E., Weber, W., Geulen, J., Müller, A., Hahne, A. & Weg-Remers, S. (2023). Understanding Trust Determinants in a Live Chat Service on Familial Cancer: Qualitative Triangulation Study With Focus Groups and Interviews in Germany. Journal of medical Internet research, 25, e44707. https://doi.org/10.2196/44707

Memenga, P., Baumann, E., Link, E., Luetke Lanfer, H., Reifegerste, D., Weber, W., Geulen, J., Hahne, A., Müller, A. & Weg-Remers, S. (2025). Understanding Cancer Information Repertoires of Relatives and Patients. European Journal of Health Communication, 6(3), 86–108. https://doi.org/10.47368/ejhc.2025.304

Memenga, P., Baumann, E., Luetke Lanfer, H., Reifegerste, D., Geulen, J., Weber, W., Hahne, A., Müller, A. & Weg-Remers, S. (2023). Intentions of Patients With Cancer and Their Relatives to Use a Live Chat on Familial Cancer Risk: Results From a Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey. Journal of medical Internet research, 25, e45198. https://doi.org/10.2196/45198