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Cancer screening website for learning disabled adults created by Stirling student
The online toolkit, which has won the backing of a national charity, will initially assist adults with intellectual challenges who are attending for cervical check ups.
A University of Stirling graduate has created an online toolkit to encourage adults with intellectual disabilities to access cancer screenings.
Catherine White, who will this week graduate with a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology, used a grant from the University to set up See My Health.
The website, due to be launched later this summer, will initially assist people with intellectual disabilities who are attending cervical screening appointments.
It is hoped additional sections can later be added for people with intellectual disabilities attending other cancer screenings and general health appointments.
Catherine said: 'See My Health is an idea which resulted from my research project. During focus groups with women with intellectual disabilities, I identified opportunities where psychological theory and intervention could support with increasing their engagement with cervical cancer screening services.
'The toolkit will support people to become active decision makers in relation to their health and wellbeing. There will also be optional physical products – keyrings and stickers – which will act as a prompt for individuals to use the toolkit during appointments.
'As the toolkit develops, I plan to include additional sections relating to other cancer screening services, general health appointments and other appointments which may be helpful, such as with social care services.'
The toolkit allows users to input vital information for health professionals before a screening appointment. It can then be downloaded and shown on a phone while at the appointment or printed in advance.
If the user opts to purchase a keyring or sticker, it will act as a physical prompt to remind them to access the toolkit using a QR code.
After the appointment, the user can log that they have attended and later log their results. Recognising that the wait for results can often be anxiety-provoking, the toolkit will provide reassurance around what to expect, as well as relaxation exercises to manage difficult feelings.
See My Health has won the backing of national charity People First (Scotland), a collective advocacy organisation for people with intellectual disabilities.
Katie Cook, Supervisory Development Worker with People First (Scotland), said: 'The toolkit sounds like a great idea which will help people communicate what is happening for them in a way that is easy if they are anxious about speaking to the doctor or explaining their needs.'
Catherine will be among hundreds of graduates who receive awards at ceremonies held at the University of Stirling campus this week.
Senior Lecturer and Health Psychologist Dr Lesley McGregor, who is Co-Director of the Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology, said: 'This toolkit is a fantastic achievement for Catherine, especially as she has created it while also working full-time. Catherine is an incredibly focused person, with real drive to apply her skills for positive societal impact. It is wonderful to see her take the work completed for her thesis to the next level.'
Catherine developed the website after winning a £2,000 grant from the University of Stirling's Entrepreneurial Quest 2025 Business Idea Competition , delivered by the Enterprise Programme.
John Robertson, Enterprise Programme Officer, University of Stirling, who oversaw the judging panel, said: 'Catherine's winning submission stood out for its innovation, compassion, and real-world impact. See My Health exemplifies the kind of purpose-driven enterprise this competition was designed to support.'
The funding for the competition was provided as part of a £100,000 microfinance initiative set up by the Scottish Government.
The initiative, which is aimed at providing critical early-stage support to university staff and students to help them take the first step towards launching a business, was launched in April and is supporting 55 projects throughout Scotland.
Speaking at the launch event, Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: 'Universities are the engines of innovation and Scotland's institutions are world-renowned for being home of some of the greatest ideas, inventions and solutions.
'We want to encourage more people, regardless of their current circumstances, to test an idea and start their journey to establishing a business or social enterprise.
'I am delighted that this microgrant initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Converge, has helped 55 hugely exciting and varied projects from across the country to take the next critical steps in taking their concept to the next level.'
