In a rapidly evolving health care landscape, research continues to be the foundation for innovation and advancing patient-centered care. Humber River Health's Research Institute is embracing this philosophy with its research program to develop a digital meditation tool for cancer patients underscoring the organization's commitment to improving the well-being of patients through evidence-based innovation.
Guided by evidence, inspired by patients
Despite increasing evidence that meditation reduces stress, anxiety, insomnia, and improves quality of life for cancer patients, it remains outside of standard practice of care. And while meditation apps and resources do exist, they are not freely available to patients. Responding to this gap, the Research institute and Humber River Health (Humber) oncologist Dr. Punam Rana, are developing digital meditation resources tailored to the needs of Humber's cancer patients.
Each patient's journey is deeply personal, filled with moments of uncertainty and sometimes physical discomfort. “Cancer patients face immense physical and emotional challenges throughout their journey and our team is committed to supporting our patients beyond their medical treatments," says Suzi Laj, Program Director of Critical Care and Oncology at Humber River Health. “Providing psychosocial support is critical to helping them navigate these challenges and improve their overall emotional well-being and quality of life."
The approach is clear: before creating a digital tool, it is essential to understand the lived experiences, preferences, and needs of the patients it aims to serve. By engaging patients directly, the team is uncovering critical insights into how, when, and why meditation might best support their cancer journey. For some, meditation might provide a sense of calm before chemotherapy; for others, it might help manage anxiety while awaiting test results or offer solace during moments of reflection. These findings are laying the groundwork for a tool that is not only innovative but deeply meaningful.
Multi-project research program
This program is not a single study, but a robust, multi-project initiative designed to build a strong foundation for long-term success. The program seeks to bridge the gap between evidence-based benefits of meditation and its practical application in cancer care.
A survey conducted by the Research Institute explored oncologists' awareness of and attitudes toward recommending meditation to their patients. The findings revealed an evidence-practice gap: while many oncologists recognize the benefits of meditation, few actively recommend it. Encouragingly, 81 per cent of respondents expressed interest in learning more about incorporating meditation into patient care, emphasizing the need for accessible resources tailored to cancer care.
In addition, a comprehensive narrative review of the literature on existing digital meditation tools highlighted inconsistencies in their design, application, and efficacy. For example, many interventions labeled as “mindfulness-based" lacked adherence to established practices, leading to variability in patient outcomes. These findings reinforced the importance of creating a resource grounded in evidence-based methodologies.
To best develop a patient-centered digital meditation resource, the Research Institute conducted comprehensive surveys and interviews to understand patient attitudes, perceptions, and barriers to meditation, as well as their preferences for and interest in such a tool. These findings will directly inform the design of the meditation resource:
A survey of 150 cancer patients revealed that 52 per cent of participants currently meditate, have meditated in the past, or expressed interest in meditating. Additionally, 42 per cent were interested in a digital meditation resource, underscoring a demand for tailored support tools.
An additional survey of 50 cancer patients explored whether replacing the term “meditation" with “stress-management" would affect interest levels. Results showed terminology had no significant impact, but factors such as age, sex, and current stress-reducing activities influenced interest in the resource.
In-depth interviews with 15 cancer patients provided insights into their experiences with meditation and stress-management. Participants' knowledge of meditation varied, but most expressed willingness to engage in co-designing the tool. They highlighted moments of emotional distress in their cancer journey where meditation could provide significant relief, such as before treatments and while awaiting results.
The Research Institute is in the final stages of analyzing patient interviews with the support of a patient partner from the Patient and Family Advisory Committee (PFAC). As part of the peer-to-peer support program in the cancer care clinic, this partner offers perspectives from her own cancer journey that enhance the research analysis. By sharing her lived experience and interpretations of the interview data, she is highlighting nuances and specific details that might otherwise go unnoticed. Recognizing that patients are experts in their own experiences, this collaborative approach not only enhances the quality of the research but also builds trust and engagement between the hospital and its patient community.
Looking ahead
Despite numerous benefits, meditation remains underutilized in standard cancer care. This is due in part to a lack of freely accessible meditation resources and limited awareness among health care providers. This research program aims to address these gaps, ensuring that meditation is available and a component of comprehensive cancer care.
The insights gained from this research are paving the way for the next phase, designing the digital meditation tool. The team envisions creating a library of meditation content addressing key “pain points" identified by patients, such as moments of high stress or uncertainty during treatment. By aligning the tool with patient preferences and integrating it into their care journey, the hospital aims to provide a resource that is not only effective but personalized.
By grounding innovation in research and patient engagement, Humber River Health is not just shaping the future of health care—it's ensuring that this future reflects the voices of the patients it serves. As this program progresses, the hope is to enhance the well-being of cancer patients and serve as a model for how community hospitals can leverage research and technology to address complex health care challenges.