Surrounded by colleagues, friends, and family, I nailed my PhD thesis to the tree in our department yesterday. It was a simple act, but it represented years of hard work, challenges, and growth. In Scandinavia, this tradition marks the moment when the thesis becomes public, and the journey towards the defence enters its final stage. For me, it felt both grounding and uplifting.
My research focused on developing a user-friendly web-based application, Carer eSupport, designed to support informal caregivers of individuals with head and neck cancer. In Sweden, as in many other countries, cancer care has gradually shifted from hospitals to the home. Family members now carry much of the daily responsibility. These informal caregivers often step into complex roles with a little preparation. They manage medical tasks, emotional pressure, and practical coordination frequently while being excluded from healthcare processes.
This thesis provides guidelines for developing and evaluating web-based applications that support the well-being of informal caregivers. It also identifies factors that influence the acceptance and use of such applications. At its core, this work recognises caregivers as essential partners in cancer care and argues that they should not be left to manage their issues on their own.
The thesis further explores how technology can be designed to be accessible, understandable, and meaningful for vulnerable groups such as caregivers. Many caregivers have limited time, reduced energy, and varying levels of digital confidence. Designing for them requires clarity, simplicity, trust, and sensitivity to their emotional situation. A web-based application should not introduce additional complexity. Instead, it should fit into everyday life, strengthen preparedness for caregiving, and support both practical tasks and psychological needs.
Through a human-centred design and in close collaboration with caregivers and healthcare professionals, Carer eSupport was developed as an evidence-based digital intervention. The application aims not only to provide reliable information but also to support competence, autonomy, and a sense of connection. In doing so, it contributes to a broader understanding of how web-based applications can be designed to promote well-being in demanding and emotionally challenging life situations.
Looking back, this journey has been demanding, but deeply meaningful. I have learned that designing technology is not only about functionality. It is about listening carefully, understanding lived experiences, and creating something that makes daily life slightly more manageable for someone carrying heavy responsibilities.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this possible. I feel deeply grateful, especially to my main supervisor, Professor Åsa Cajander, who guided me with clarity, patience, and trust throughout this journey.
Defence: March 27, 2026, at 13:15
Place: 101195, Heinz-Otto Kreiss, Ångström, Lägerhyddsvägen 1, Uppsala
Thesis title: Designing for Well-being: A Human-Centred Design Approach to a Web-Based Application to Support Informal Caregivers
Download the thesis: https://uu.diva portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A2035324&dswid=4310
