Table 5 Four categories of quality-of-life enhancing activities identified by care providers

Examples of communication or maintaining-connection activities included:

 • Allowing patients to keep in touch with family and friends from out of town or who cannot come to the hospital to visit

 • “… able to stay connected to family and friends via email/Facebook/Skype. This may be very important in a situation where mobility is an issue or/and when family/friends cannot visit frequently”

 • Able to talk and see loved ones on the computer; “give them a warmer feeling than talking on the phone”

 • Viewing photos of family/grandkids, weddings

Examples of potential information-seeking activities included:

 • Looking up information related to “the disease process or medication”, health topics

 • Canadian Virtual Hospice

 • Keeping informed on “what’s going on in the world”, weather, current events

Examples of potential use of technology to conduct personal business included:

 • Making travel arrangements

 • Maintaining work relationships

 • Online banking

 • Paying bills

Examples of potential entertainment-related activities included:

 • Watching movies, listening to music, playing games, watching YouTube

 • Reading books, poetry

 • Surfing the internet

 • Video streams or daily blogs