Blended microlearning for better quality of life after cancer

Background

After cancer treatment, many patients face new challenges – pain, fatigue, stress, and changes in sexual health, to name just a few. At Region Blekinge’s cancer rehabilitation unit (CaRe), the mission is to support patients in reclaiming energy, meaning, and improved quality of life. Over a six-month period, patients participate in a blended programme that includes educational content, digital lectures, physical group sessions, exercise, and themed talks. In 2024, CaRe partnered with us to make the digital content more accessible and engaging. Together, we created a digital learning solution tailored to each patient’s needs – modern, flexible, and deeply human.

Illustration of a woman and a dog on the beach

The challenge

Cancer rehabilitation is a sensitive and complex area. The learning content needed to work for a wide range of patients with different backgrounds, experiences, and needs. It had to be flexible and customizable while supporting a blended approach – including face-to-face group discussions.

Tone of voice was critical: hopeful but never sugar-coated, professional yet empathetic. The structure had to suit patients often experiencing fatigue, anxiety, and cognitive overload. How do you motivate without being pushy? Inspire without losing credibility?

There were also strict technical requirements: the platform needed to meet Region Blekinge’s high standards for security and accessibility. And since the rehab team had no previous experience with digital education tools, the solution had to be easy to manage and update internally.

‍

The solution

To make the most of the team’s deep experience, we interviewed key staff to shape the right tone and prioritise the most meaningful topics. This formed the foundation – together with materials developed during the pandemic – for the new solution.

The result: 29 digital modules, built in the Skillhabit platform. These covered everything from fatigue, sexual health and lifestyle habits to goal setting and restoring a sense of meaning. Each module helps prepare the patient for discussion groups and includes a mix of short intros, interactive exercises, video, animations and reflective prompts.

We designed a warm, consistent illustration style and an empathetic voice throughout. The learning structure makes it easy for patients to engage with the content at their own pace. Thanks to Skillhabit’s intuitive admin interface, the team can update or add content themselves – whenever they want.

The platform also supports secure two-way communication between the team and patients, such as reviewing reflection responses before group sessions.

The impact

The result is a safe, engaging, and visually inviting digital experience – now fully integrated into cancer rehabilitation in the region.

Patients are better prepared for conversations and can learn in their own time, on their own terms.  The healthcare team saves time, strengthens the quality of care, and offers greater access to support.  Region Blekinge is proud to be the first in Sweden to offer this type of personalised, digital rehabilitation support.

Thank you, Region Blekinge, for letting us co-create a solution that truly makes a difference – helping people reclaim their quality of life after a life-changing diagnosis.

“It’s been a real pleasure working with TicTac – both professionally and personally. We received help and support all the way through, and that was key to finding a solution that works for both patients and staff. Today we have a digital tool that meets all requirements for accessibility and IT security – and the best part is, our own staff can easily update the content themselves.”

Martin Söderberg, Project Manager, Region Blekinge