In this PhD project, we will adapt, test, and prepare PicPecc app for use in Norwegian healthcare to support systematic symptom monitoring in children.
Full project title: Exploring a mobile app with pictorial support in person-centered care for symptom-monitoring among hospitalized children: the Norwegian version of PicPecc.
The PicPecc app will be translated from Swedish to Norwegian, and t the language, images, and examples will be adapted to the Norwegian context.
The goal is a version that feels natural for children and families in Norway. We will explore how children, parents, and healthcare professionals experience using the app in clinical settings and assess usability.
Participants
More about the project
Hospitalized children often experience pain, nausea, and anxiety, and it can be hard to assess how the child is actually doing because children may struggle to communicate their symptoms using traditional methods. This can delay symptom treatment and harm both the quality of care and the child’s overall well‑being.
The Pictorial Support in Person-Centered Care for Children (PicPecc) app is a child‑friendly, interactive tool for systematic symptom assessment in children aged 5–17. It lets children report symptoms such as pain and anxiety through engaging and easy‑to‑use features. This strengthens symptom follow‑up and supports children’s involvement in their own care.
The project is carried out in collaboration with Professor of Nursing Stefan Nilsson at the University of Gothenburg, who has developed and evaluated PicPecc over many years, and Anja Hetland Smeland, a nurse and head of a research group at Oslo University Hospital, where the app will be tested.
To ensure successful use of the app in Norway, it must be translated, culturally adapted, and evaluated for relevance in healthcare. We will assess its practical use in real clinical settings and develop a clinical pathway to guide integration into the Norwegian health service.
By adapting this tool instead of creating new ones, the project promotes sustainability and builds knowledge on how existing tools can be tailored for young patients. This can improve symptom management and the overall quality of care for hospitalized children in Norway.
