Hannes Vanpoecke

Our research focuses on addressing the psychological distress known as scanxiety, the anxiety and discomfort experienced by cancer patients and their loved ones when undergoing medical imaging tests and, more broadly, other medical surveillance types. This can be incredibly distressing and affect patients' psychological wellbeing and overall quality of life. It addresses a significant gap in the current care of cancer patients. While survival rates have improved, the ongoing medical surveillance required to monitor for disease recurrence or progression can be a heavy burden. The anxiety associated with medical surveillance (e.g. scans, blood tests and clinical examinations) is often overlooked but can have a profound impact on patients and their families using a service design thinking approach. The primary aim is to develop and evaluate interventions that can help reduce anxiety. This involves understanding the journeys of different stakeholders, but also co-creating interventions with them. By understanding these journeys, the research aims to provide support where it is most needed but currently lacking. The research is set in the wider context of multidisciplinary cancer care. It integrates evidence from psychology, health management and patient care to address the psychological aspects of cancer surveillance. 
Ultimately, the research aims to improve the holistic care of cancer patients, improving their quality of life and long-term outcomes by addressing the psychological distress associated with waiting for test results.
 

I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Nursing in 2022 (PXL University College). It was there that I honed my nursing skills by obtaining my Specialist Degree in Emergency and Intensive Care Nursing. Through my experience as a nurse, I felt that the holistic care of cancer patients could be improved and wrote my bachelor's thesis on information provision for cancer patients. Building on my clinical experience during these years, I wanted to develop my academic skills in the hope of making a difference on a larger scale. I therefore decided to pursue a Master's degree in Nursing and Midwifery (University of Hasselt, 2024).

My academic career at Ghent University started in September 2024 when I joined the Centre for Service Intelligence at the Department of Marketing, Innovation and Organisation. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Melissa De Regge, I am given the opportunity to grow as a health services researcher. In doing so, I will focus on the service provided to cancer patients and their families.
 

• Lab address: UGent, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Center for Service Intelligence, Tweekerkenstraat 2, 9000 Gent
• Center for Service Intelligence
• LinkedIn
• Hannes Vanpoecke is interested to receive invitations for presentations or talks