User’s willingness and functional requirements for home-based nutritional management using WeChat mini-program after gastric cancer surgery: A qualitative descriptive study

User’s willingness and functional requirements for home-based nutritional management using WeChat mini-program after gastric cancer surgery: A qualitative descriptive study | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 16 May 2025 V1 Latest version Share on User’s willingness and functional requirements for home-based nutritional management using WeChat mini-program after gastric cancer surgery: A qualitative descriptive study Authors : Pei Hong 0009-0002-5422-511X , Xiaojuan Wu , Peihua Xiao [email protected] , and Jianhua Lang Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174742171.10213852/v1 289 views 225 downloads Contents Abstract Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Aim :Understanding the perspectives of stakeholders, functional requirements, and recommendations regarding a mini-program designed for home nutrition management after gastric cancer. Design: The present study employs a descriptive qualitative research methodology. Methods: Using a descriptive qualitative research design, a purposive sampling method was employed to select 10 postoperative gastric cancer patients, 6 patient caregivers, and 8 healthcare professionals from a tertiary hospital in Suzhou City for semi-structured interviews conducted between March and July 2023. Results: Three key themes emerged from the analysis: (1) The majority of respondents expressed eager anticipation for the development of WeChat mini-programs focused on home management; (2) They emphasized the importance of comprehensive dietary management information within a home nutrition management mini-program, including basic information, precise information on dietary management, and reliable nutritional component queries. Additionally, they highlighted the need for features such as personalized dietary advice, nutritional data detection, dietary record keeping and analysis, as well as professional self-management guidance on diet encompassing individual menu formulation, online shopping convenience, and access to medical care at home; (3) Respondents also stressed the significance of an easy-to-use interface in order to facilitate user adoption and learning. Patient or Public Contribution : Understanding the attitudes and needs of stakeholders towards WeChat mini-program in facilitating post-gastric cancer surgery home nutrition management is crucial. Given the high prevalence of malnutrition among patients after gastric cancer surgery, it becomes imperative to develop sophisticated, user-friendly, and efficient tools for managing home nutrition that can effectively mitigate this occurrence. The willingness, functional requirements, and suggestions provided by stakeholders during the development and utilization process significantly impact the subsequent adoption rate of WeChat mini-program and influence the implementation of internet-based home nutrition management. Introduction Gastric cancer (GC) is a significant global public health concern, ranking fifth in terms of worldwide incidence rate and fourth among the most prevalent malignant tumors globally(Sung H et al.,2021). According to statistics on global cancer data, there were over 1 million newly reported cases of gastric cancer in 2020, resulting in 769,000 fatalities. Notably, China alone accounted for approximately 370,000 deaths attributed to gastric cancer, representing an astonishing 48.6% of all global gastric cancer-related mortalities.This disease places a significant burden on public health and poses a substantial threat to individuals’ physical well-being(Sung H et al.,2021). Postoperative patients with gastric cancer often experience severe nutritional deficiencies due to factors such as gastrectomy and digestive tract reconstruction. Among all types of cancer patients, those diagnosed with gastric cancer face the highest risk of malnutrition and require more than one year for gradual recovery(Serra F et al.,2022;Matsui R et al.,2022). Therefore, home-based nutrition management plays an essential role in ensuring optimal care for postoperative patients with gastric cancer. In recent years, there has been a significant improvement in the provision of nutrition education for postoperative patients with gastric cancer in clinical practice. However, the routine dietary guidance and telephone follow-up after discharge present challenges in accurately and continuously monitoring long-term changes in patients’ nutritional data(Zhao S et al.,2019). As a result, medical professionals face difficulties in delivering timely and effective nutritional guidance. The integration of healthcare with information technology, facilitated by national initiatives such as the ”Healthy China 2030” strategy and ”Internet + Medical Health Services,” has paved the way for advancements. By leveraging big data analysis, mobile healthcare can seamlessly access user information, customize application programs based on individual needs, and provide regular feedback reminders. This enables home-based monitoring of nutrition data and ultimately enhances health outcomes. WeChat mini-programs have been utilized in cancer care, including the management of chronic pain(Tao J F et al.,2018), maintenance of PICC catheters(Huang Y Q et al.,2019), and promotion of medication adherence(Li X F et al.,2015). These programs offer several advantages, such as a wide user base, low development costs, and short cycle times. However, the potential of WeChat mini-programs in ”Internet+” extended nursing remains largely unexplored within the context of Rogers’ innovation diffusion theory. To ensure successful implementation of electronic medical services based on this theory, healthcare electronic service providers should thoroughly identify both providers’ and users’ requirements and preferences before implementing such services(Rogers EM et al.,2014).Currently, there is limited understanding of the perspectives on usage opinions and demands regarding home nutrition management tools among post-gastric cancer surgery patients. The primary focus of users is centered on specific interventions targeting the improvement of nutritional status rather than encompassing comprehensive solutions(Rogers EM et al.,2014;Young R et al.,2014;Porter C et al.,2006). This study aims to interview clinical staff members, patients, and their family members in order to identify their functional requirements for a patient-centered home diet management WeChat mini-program that is specifically tailored for post-gastric cancer surgery recovery. The findings obtained from this research will be crucial references during the subsequent development of the program. Research Design The present study employs a descriptive qualitative research methodology, which aligns with the philosophical underpinnings of natural inquiry (Colrafi K J et al.,2016 ). When investigating individuals’ responses, thoughts, and factors that facilitate or impede an occurrence, opting for a descriptive qualitative research approach is most suitable (Zhu Y X,2022). Selection of Interview Subjects From March to July 2023, interview subjects were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria from a tertiary comprehensive hospital in Suzhou City. The subjects included postoperative gastric cancer patients, caregivers, and clinical staff from the gastrointestinal surgery ward, gastrointestinal surgery outpatient department, and clinical nutrition department. ①Inclusion criteria for patients: Patients diagnosed with stage I, II, or III gastric cancer through post-surgical pathological examination; aged ≥18 years with intact consciousness and cognitive abilities for effective daily communication; proficient in smartphone usage and well-acquainted with WeChat functions; possess awareness regarding their medical condition. Exclusion criteria: Patients suffering from severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, blood disorders, respiratory system diseases, or acute trauma that may adversely impact nutritional metabolism are excluded from the study.②Inclusion criteria for caregivers: Participants must be aged 18 years or older, possess awareness of the patient’s medical condition, and be immediate family members or spouses providing a minimum of 40 hours per week of care. Additionally, they should demonstrate proficiency in using smartphones and WeChat.③Inclusion criteria for clinical staff: The study requires gastrointestinal surgeons, nurses, and clinical nutritionists with a minimum of 5 years specialized work experience. These professionals should hold an intermediate-level professional title or above and have familiarity with mobile medical devices. All interview subjects willingly participated in this study and provided signed informed consent forms(Medical Ethics Review Identifier:REDACTED). Methods of Sampling and Determination of Sample Size In this study, a purposive sampling method was employed to select participants based on the strategy of maximum variation among research subjects in order to enhance the richness of the obtained data. The participant selection criteria included age, gender, marital status, employment situation, disease stage, and comorbidities for patients; age, gender, and employment status for caregivers; as well as age, gender, education level, professional title and years of experience for clinical staff members. The sample size was determined by adhering to the principle of data saturation where no new themes or sub-themes emerged during data collection. A total of 24 interviewees were included in this study: 10 patients (including their respective caregivers) and 8 clinical staff members. For detailed information regarding participant characteristics please refer to Tables 1，2，and 3. Table 1 Basic information of postoperative gastric cancer patients interviewed (n=10) NO. Age gender Marital Status Work status Education level Stage of cancer Comorbidity 1 70 Female Widowed retirement Junior High School StageI diabetes 2 58 male mirried staff Junior college StageII No 3 69 Female mirried farmer Elementary school StageIII No 4 76 male mirried retirement Junior High School StageII No 5 76 Female divorced individuals Junior High School StageI hypertension 6 74 Female mirried individuals Elementary school StageIII diabetes 7 59 male mirried retirement undergraduate StageII chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and atrial fibrillation 8 70 Female mirried individuals Junior High School StageII hypertension 9 36 male single staff master StageI No 10 51 male mirried staff undergraduate StageII hypertension Table 2 basic information of givecarer(n=6) NO. age sex retionship Work status education Economic situation 1 41 male son executive undergraduate fair 2 35 female wife researcher master fair 3 42 female daughter individuals Senior high school average 4 68 male husband individuals Junior High School average 5 70 female wife individuals Junior High School Poor 6 30 female daughter staff undergraduate average Table 3 basic information of clinical staff members(n=8) NO. age sex education Years of major subject subject docdor1 53 male undergraduate 20 gastrointestinal surgery docdor2 40 male ph.D 15 gastrointestinal surgery docdor3 38 male master 12 gastrointestinal surgery nurse1 38 female undergraduate 14 Nursing management nurse2 32 female master 10 Specialised nurse nurse3 36 female undergraduate 15 nutrition nurse Nutritionist1 33 female master 10 Nutritional oncology Nutritionist2 34 female undergraduate 12 Nutritional oncology Interview Outline The interview outline was developed using Kallio’s semi-structured interview compilation method(Kallio H et al.,2016), which comprises the following five steps: ① emphasizing the significance of semi-structured interviews; ② extracting and leveraging existing knowledge; ③ formulating a preliminary interview outline; ④ conducting a pre-experiment on the interview outline; and ⑤ finalizing the interview outline. By extensively reviewing relevant domestic and international literature, consulting gastrointestinal tumor experts, and carefully considering our study objectives, we meticulously compiled an interview outline. Prior to conducting formal interviews, we conducted a pilot survey involving one gastric cancer postoperative patient, one caregiver, and one clinical staff member. Based on the findings from this pilot survey, necessary modifications were made to refine and finalize the interview outline. (1)Patients or family members: ① Have you been mindful of the nutritional composition in your daily dietary choices? ② Do you maintain a practice of documenting your everyday food consumption and body weight? ③ Are you familiar with WeChat mini-programs and their regular usage on your part? If utilizing a WeChat mini-program could provide assistance to either yourself or your family regarding home-based nutrition guidance, how would that be perceived by all parties involved? Would there be willingness to utilize such program? ④ Our intention is to develop an exclusive home-based nutrition management WeChat mini-program tailored specifically for individuals who have undergone gastric cancer surgery. Are there any recommendations or prerequisites concerning the design aspects of this particular program? (2)Clinical staff: ① What strategies do you consider appropriate for patients to manage their nutritional needs at home? Which essential dietary information do you believe is crucial for both patients and their families? ② How do you perceive the utilization of a WeChat mini-program specifically designed to assist postoperative gastric cancer patients in managing their nutrition at home? Would you be willing to recommend this mini-program to your patient population and their families? ③ From your perspective, what functionalities should this WeChat mini-program possess for postoperative gastric cancer patients’ nutritional management needs? Do you have any suggestions regarding its design? Data Collection The interviewer for this study is a female nursing master with nearly a decade of clinical nursing experience. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face, one-on-one semi-structured interviews, and the entire interview process was recorded.Each interview is limited to 30-45 minutes and takes place in either the physician’s office or a designated teaching room to ensure an uninterrupted interview process. Before starting the interview, the researcher introduces themselves and provides a concise explanation of the purpose, methods, content, and procedure of the interview to establish rapport with the participant. Informed consent forms are also obtained at this stage. Throughout the interview process, the researcher actively listens to the respondent’s explanations while attentively observing non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and emotional fluctuations; these observations are promptly documented. The researcher maintains an impartial demeanor without using leading or suggestive language or behavior and refrains from interrupting or commenting on what is being expressed by the respondent unless necessary clarification is required through appropriate probing or restating techniques. Towards concluding each interview session, confirmation inquiries are reiterated regarding any potentially overlooked information before expressing gratitude and terminating audio recording. Data Analysis Following each interview, the researcher endeavors to transcribe the content verbatim into a written transcript within 24 hours, while also documenting any non-verbal cues exhibited by the interviewee. Once the transcription is completed, it is supplemented with notes taken during the interview and cross-referenced against the recorded audio to ensure meticulous and accurate information. All of these steps are validated by a second researcher.The content analysis method was employed in this study, with the assistance of Nvivo 11.0 software. The transcribed text was independently analyzed, summarized, and extracted by two individuals using the content analysis methodology. Ethical considerations This research has obtained approval from REDACTED Ethics Committee. Prior to conducting interviews, consent forms were signed and ethical principles have been adhered to throughout the entire research process. Fingdings The data from 24 interviewees were encoded and categorized, leading to the identification of three main themes and eight sub-themes. Please refer to Figure 1 for detailed information. Topic1:Attitude towards Home Nutrition Management WeChat Mini Program Expressing anticipation The medical staff usually provides postoperative nutrition guidance to gastric cancer patients who have been discharged from the hospital. They do this mainly through phone calls or home visits. However, these methods can be inconsistent, rushed, and lack personalized advice for each patient. Additionally, healthcare professionals find phone follow-ups not very effective and home visits require a significant amount of time and effort.The majority of individuals are eagerly anticipating the utilization of WeChat mini-programs as a valuable tool for guiding patients in nutrition management.I believe that the utilization of WeChat mini programs can enhance nutritional guidance more effectively. Presently, the majority of patients and their families are accustomed to using WeChat and are well-versed in the functionalities of WeChat mini programs. Even healthcare professionals concur that leveraging WeChat mini programs for nutrition management assistance can offer superior service to patients, thereby enhancing their nutritional status.Caregiver 3: Is it necessary to develop a WeChat mini program specifically for this purpose? I would be more than willing to utilize it. I typically keep track of the recommended dietary guidelines for post-gastric cancer patients, but I am hesitant to fully rely on information obtained through Baidu search. With the implementation of this WeChat mini program, I can conveniently access and verify dietary combinations on my mobile device, ensuring precise meal preparation for them.Nurse 1: I strongly believe it is an excellent opportunity. If a genuine WeChat mini-program indeed exists, we could effortlessly disseminate nutrition-related knowledge or hold regular online live Q&A sessions, thereby enhancing the efficacy of nutritional guidance. The advent of this WeChat mini-program holds great potential for making nutrition guidance more convenient.Patient 4: So you’re suggesting that I can conveniently access relevant nutrition knowledge at any time and from anywhere using my mobile phone, without needing to make specific inquiries over the telephone?Nutritionist 2: That appears quite promising. In today’s era of big data accessibility, this mini-program enables us to even conduct real-time on-site Q&A sessions with patients and their families. Maintaining a skeptical attitude A small cohort of individuals expresses skepticism towards the notion that WeChat Mini Programs can contribute to nutritional management.Patient 3: Which WeChat application can assist us in optimizing our nutritional intake? Do we still need to independently determine how to consume food in order to meet our nutrient requirements? Caregiver 2: I have reservations regarding its reliability. It would be more advantageous if you could provide me with precise instructions instead of assuming that I will acquire the knowledge and employ this WeChat mini program. It is considered redundant The age of patients with gastric cancer is progressively decreasing; however, the majority of affected individuals still belong to the middle-aged and elderly population. On one hand, these patients exhibit limited familiarity with the functionality of mobile phone WeChat mini programs; on the other hand, they display a preference for direct doctor-patient communication.Therefore, they consider the research on WeChat mini-programs to be redundant. Doctor 1: Undoubtedly, certain patients encounter challenges in utilizing it due to factors such as advanced age and visual impairments. Nurse 2: However, there are instances where even if their offspring procure smartphones for them, they still face difficulties in operating them.Patient 6: Rather than utilizing a mobile application to manage my nutritional needs, I would prefer engaging in a direct consultation with the attending physician. Furthermore, considering my close proximity to the hospital and familiarity with its esteemed medical staff, this alternative appears more suitable for me in terms of optimizing healthcare outcomes. Topic2:Functional requirements for the operational module of the WeChat mini program pertaining to home nutrition management Comprehensive information on dietary Essential Information Medical professionals, family members, and patients commonly agree that WeChat mini programs provide direct access to general patient information and disease-related data. Doctor 2: This mini program should include essential details such as the patient’s age, gender, diagnosis, and serum albumin levels. Caregiver 1: It is expected that you will have comprehensive visibility into all relevant patient information within your WeChat backend system. Nutritionist 2: These fundamental nutrition-related data need to be consistently updated within the mini program. Accurate guidance for dietary management Accurate, reliable, and precise management of dietary information is a fundamental aspect in providing comprehensive guidance on home nutrition.Caregiver 5: This WeChat mini program should efficiently provide us with relevant nutritional knowledge, such as dietary recommendations after surgery, appropriate portion sizes, and strategies for achieving optimal nutrition balance.Patient 5: The dietary guidance provided by your hospital through this mini program is considered the most reliable source. Our grandmother frequently consults it on her phone but sometimes feels uncertain due to conflicting information from other sources.Nurse 3: I strongly advocate for the health education content promoted through our small program, including recipes and informative videos, to be firmly based on established guidelines or preferably evidence-based information. This approach guarantees that patients and their families receive authoritative and highly effective guidance while minimizing the possibility of any misinformation.Nutritionist 1: When we inform patients about the lack of significant nutritional components in fish soup or pigeon soup, they consistently rely on online sources or hearsay and firmly believe in their efficacy for recovery. Therefore, it is crucial for us to provide them with more credible and authoritative knowledge regarding food education. Exploration of Nutritional Composition in Food Post-gastrectomy patients must undergo a sequential dietary progression, commencing with fasting and advancing through stages of half-liquid, full-liquid, semi-solid diets before gradually transitioning to a regular diet. It is imperative for them to acquire precise knowledge regarding the appropriate stage-specific food quantities and types, while also being able to promptly access nutritional information and accurately calculate calorie intake.It would be optimal if this WeChat mini program could accurately calculate the corresponding caloric intake based on the patient’s height and weight, while also providing comprehensive information regarding the nutritional composition and calorie content of commonly consumed foods. This functionality would empower patients to effectively manage their daily meal plans in a rational manner, thereby facilitating efficient dietary management.Family member 6: I would appreciate it if this WeChat mini program could incorporate a feature enabling patients to effortlessly access the calorie and nutritional information of specific foods with just a simple click. The facilitation of informed decision-making in dietary selection Personalized dietary recommendations The optimal tool for diet management should incorporate a feature that offers personalized dietary recommendations. Patient 6: I have encountered difficulties in regulating my diet due to inadequate blood sugar levels following the surgical procedure. How can this application assist me with tailored suggestions or guidance? Doctor 3: Amongst my patient cohort, there are individuals grappling with diabetes, hypertension, and high blood lipids. The dietary advice for these specific cases would differ from the general guidelines provided post-gastric cancer surgery. Nutritional Data Testing The integration of nutritional data detection into mini-program backgrounds, along with its visualization as dynamically evolving trends, enables real-time monitoring of patients’ current nutritional status.Nutritionist 2: It would be highly advantageous if this mini program could offer real-time visualization of fluctuations in nutritional indicators, such as total serum protein and serum albumin. This would facilitate necessary dietary modifications based on the patient’s historical and current nutritional status.Patient 4: Considering that this mini program is developed by your esteemed hospital, does it imply that each time I undergo a blood test, the results will be automatically synchronized and updated within this platform, granting me access to them as well? Dietary Records and Analysis Detailed dietary records and analysis can serve as a foundation for patients to cultivate rational eating habits, ensuring the attainment of adequate nutrition. Patient 3: While we can document our daily food intake, it would be advantageous if this WeChat mini program could also assess the sufficiency of my nutritional consumption and recommend additional elements necessary for expedited recovery. Nurse 3: This WeChat mini program should incorporate a module enabling patients to input specific meal types and quantities consumed throughout the day, facilitating comprehensive and balanced nutritional analysis in recent times.Nutritionist 2: The WeChat mini-program should incorporate comprehensive records of meals and snacks for a minimum duration of one week, encompassing precise quantities and types of staple foods, eggs and meat dishes, soy products, fruits, and vegetables. This will enable us to accurately evaluate the adequacy of protein and vitamin intake based on the total calorie count. Consequently, we can formulate personalized meal plans tailored to the patient’s dietary preferences in a manner that aligns with the professional standards expected by Nature journal. Professional guidance in managing individual dietary preferences Creating personalized nutritional programs In order to enhance patients’ adherence to a rational dietary regimen, it is crucial to develop personalized nutritional plans based on their specific food preferences. Patient 5: I am highly interested in obtaining precise information regarding the permissible and restricted food items, preferably accompanied by a weekly menu comprising well-matched culinary options tailored according to my diverse health indicators.Family member 2: Occasionally, we encounter challenges in determining suitable meal options for our household. We often find ourselves unsure about how to ensure a nutritionally balanced and well-planned diet. It would be immensely advantageous if this application could provide us with carefully curated menus, enabling us to make informed choices based on these recommendations.Nutritionist 1: Ideally, this app should incorporate menus that include essential food groups such as staple foods, fruits and vegetables, and soy products specifically tailored for our patients. Moreover, it should offer the flexibility to adjust the combinations of these items based on the patient’s dynamic recovery progress over time. Online Retailing Opening an online purchasing channel for specialized medical food or nutritional supplements specifically designed for post-gastric cancer surgery patients can effectively enhance the nutritional status of individuals who are unable to meet their dietary requirements. Patient 8 expressed a lack of energy and domestic support to prepare meals exclusively for themselves following surgical procedures, highlighting the potential benefits of tailored oral nutritional supplements or readily consumable options provided through this WeChat mini program platform, which could cater to those facing similar circumstances.Doctor 2: To improve accessibility and convenience, it would be highly advantageous to incorporate an online purchasing feature for Ansu (an oral nutritional supplement) after a patient’s discharge. The consumption rate of these supplements varies among patients due to factors such as proximity to the hospital. Online interactive session for live Q&A is available Online live Q&A services can effectively cater to the needs of elderly patients who are physically frail and have limited mobility. Patient 8: As an older individual, it becomes inconvenient for me to venture outdoors or engage in activities that require leaving my residence. Therefore, upon downloading this WeChat mini program, I am able to effortlessly initiate a video call with a doctor by simply clicking on it whenever I experience stomach pain or discomfort.Nutritionist 1: It would be advantageous to incorporate regular live streaming sessions on this mini program in order to provide prompt responses to patients’ inquiries. In the event that the information provided remains ambiguous, we can arrange personalized one-on-one video dialogues for further education. Topic3:Requirements for the operational performance of a WeChat mini program centered on home nutrition management The user interface showcases a simple and streamlined design Based on the conducted interviews, it is unanimous among patients, family members, and medical professionals that prioritizing simplicity over complexity is crucial for the operational interface of the WeChat mini-program. Caregiver 4 emphasizes the necessity of a streamlined interface that allows quick access to essential information despite some familiarity with mini-programs. Nurse 2 underscores how important it is to have an uncomplicated interface specifically designed for elderly patients using this WeChat mini-program; providing a version with larger fonts would greatly benefit them in this aspect. Easy to operate and quick to understand The interviewees consistently emphasize the user-friendly nature and ease of learning associated with using this mini program. Patient 7 emphasizes that if the process becomes excessively cumbersome, they would be less likely to adopt it. Doctor 3 highlights the importance of considering the majority, especially elderly individuals, in developing this mini program and advocates for a simplified and easily understandable usage procedure. Discussion Understanding the intentions of stakeholders is an essential requirement for developing WeChat mini-programs aimed at improving home-based nutritional management for individuals diagnosed with gastric cancer With the growing prevalence of mobile phones and smartphones among the general population, the market for mobile healthcare management is expected to witness substantial growth, emerging as a crucial supplementary modality in our nation’s medical and health services(Bida Data,2021;National Buresu of Statistics,2021).During the interview, a significant majority of stakeholders expressed their endorsement for the development of this WeChat mini-program specifically designed to assist post-gastric cancer patients in effectively managing their home nutrition.Possible reasons include the potential to address the limitations of traditional home-based dietary education for healthcare professionals, thus resolving problems like repetitive content in telephone education while also reducing costs related to manpower and materials required for home visits. Importantly, a study by Cheng Y X et al. (2023)Indicates that internet-based nutrition services greatly improve patients’ nutritional status compared to conventional methods, resulting in increased satisfaction and adherence rates. Additionally, this approach provides patients and caregivers with a more efficient and convenient way to access varied and personalized nutrition education content.However, this interview has revealed the existence of a small group of stakeholders with vested interests who maintain skeptical and pessimistic attitudes towards the WeChat mini program. This discovery is consistent with the findings from Zheng Q et al.’s(2023)investigation into the progress of WeChat mini programs for managing nutrition in chronic kidney disease.The analysis suggests that age and cognitive abilities may be underlying factors associated with the issue (Tang L et al.,2022).In our country, the majority of gastric cancer patients are elderly individuals(Cao M M et al.,2021), who tend to exhibit a limited inclination towards adopting novel technologies and harbor concerns regarding service quality meeting their expectations, leading to anxiety and skepticism (Yan YY et al.,2020). Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider user experience while developing this WeChat mini program and provide a compassionate approach for the elderly or encourage assistance from younger family members during operations. Mastering the diverse functional requirements of various stakeholders is an essential prerequisite for successfully implementing WeChat mini-program to provide effective support for home-based nutritional management in individuals with gastric cancer The functional requirements of stakeholders play a crucial role in driving product development and exert significant influence on achieving enhanced product manufacturing(Franco-Trigo L et al.,2020).After conducting interviews with relevant stakeholders, it was determined that there is a unanimous consensus regarding the imperative need for precise and comprehensive dietary information, as well as inquiries about nutritional content within the operational module. This would greatly facilitate patients in accessing accurate dietary information more efficiently. Furthermore, personalized dietary recommendations, nutrition data testing, diet recording and analysis are highly sought-after functionalities due to their potential to aid in monitoring recent nutritional status and enabling timely adjustments. The development of personalized recipes, online shopping capabilities, and live Q&A sessions can provide patients with tailor-made recipes curated by professionals while simultaneously offering an online purchasing platform. Additionally, paramount attention should be given to patient information security through the reinforcement of network management protocols to prevent any potential breach of patient privacy. Meeting the operational performance requirements of relevant stakeholders is crucial for effectively implementing WeChat Mini Program, which aims to assist individuals diagnosed with gastric cancer in managing their nutrition from home Through this interview, it is evident that stakeholders express a strong inclination towards the development of a user-friendly and intuitive interface to enhance operational performance. Currently, both domestic and international scholars have made significant progress in creating remote care applications for continuing nursing, with research findings consistently emphasizing the indispensability of simplicity and robust feasibility as key characteristics for these applications(Zheng Q et al.,2023;Pinto S et al.,2017).Chinese scholars can utilize the unique attributes of domestic nutrition for individuals with gastric cancer as a fundamental basis. They can simplify the login procedure, design diverse interfaces suitable for medical professionals, family members, and patients alike, and provide a simplified operational guide to promote sustainable progress in using WeChat mini-programs for home nutrition management. Implications for nursing and health Policy Understanding the attitudes and needs of stakeholders towards WeChat mini-program in facilitating post-gastric cancer surgery home nutrition management is crucial. Given the high prevalence of malnutrition among patients after gastric cancer surgery, there is a pressing need to develop sophisticated, user-friendly, and efficient tools for managing home nutrition that can effectively mitigate this issue. The willingness, functional requirements, and suggestions provided by stakeholders during the development and utilization process significantly impact the subsequent adoption rate of WeChat mini-program and influence the implementation of internet-based home nutrition management. Limitations This study is dedicated to conducting qualitative research aimed at exploring the willingness and requirements of stakeholders involved in developing WeChat mini-programs. Subsequent studies may delve deeper into understanding patient experiences and collecting feedback to improve this particular WeChat mini-program. Additionally, longitudinal follow-ups can be carried out to assess user experiences after using this program, integrating quantitative research methods for a more comprehensive understanding of how the utilization of WeChat mini-programs contributes towards enhancing postoperative nutritional conditions among gastric cancer patients. Conclusion The study involved conducting in-depth interviews with 10 post-gastric cancer patients, 6 caregivers, and 8 clinical staff members to gather insights into their perspectives on developing a WeChat mini-program designed to assist post-gastric cancer patients in managing their nutrition at home. The majority of stakeholders expressed a positive attitude towards the WeChat mini-program due to its potential for providing user-friendly features like an intuitive interface, comprehensive and accurate dietary information, food nutrient analysis capabilities, personalized dietary guidance recommendations as well as options for nutritional data testing along with diet recording and analysis functions. Furthermore, stakeholders emphasized the significance of incorporating online shopping functionality and live Q&A sessions to enhance convenience and provide interactive support. 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Keywords demand gastric cancer nutritional management qualitative research wechat mini program Authors Affiliations Pei Hong 0009-0002-5422-511X Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital View all articles by this author Xiaojuan Wu Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital View all articles by this author Peihua Xiao [email protected] Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital View all articles by this author Jianhua Lang Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 289 views 225 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Pei Hong, Xiaojuan Wu, Peihua Xiao, et al. User’s willingness and functional requirements for home-based nutritional management using WeChat mini-program after gastric cancer surgery: A qualitative descriptive study. Authorea . 16 May 2025. 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