Design and process evaluation of an informative website tailored to breast cancer survivors’ and intimate partners’ post-treatment care needs

Abstract

BackgroundOn-line provision of information during the transition phase after treatment carries great promise in meeting shortcomings in post-treatment care for breast cancer survivors and their partners. The objectives of this study are to describe the development and process evaluation of a tailored informative website and to assess which characteristics of survivors and partners, participating in the feasibility study, are related to visiting the website.MethodsThe development process included quantitative and qualitative assessments of survivors’ and partners’ care needs and preferences. Participants’ use and evaluation of the website were explored by conducting baseline and post-measurements. During the intervening 10–12 weeks 57 survivors and 28 partners were granted access to the website.ResultsFifty-seven percent (n=21) of survivors who took part in the post-measurement indicated that they had visited the website. Compared to non-visitors (n=16), they were more likely to have a partner and a higher income, reported higher levels of self-esteem and had completed treatment for a longer period of time. Partners who consulted the on-line information (42%, n=8) were younger and reported lower levels of social support compared to partners who did not visit the website (n=11). Visitors generally evaluated the content and lay-out positively, yet some believed the information was incomplete and impersonal.ConclusionsThe website reached only about half of survivors and partners, yet was mostly well-received. Besides other ways of providing information and support, a website containing clear-cut and tailored information could be a useful tool in post-treatment care provision.

Understanding acceptability of and engagement with Web‐based interventions aiming to improve quality of life in cancer survivors: A synthesis of current research

“…BREATH and STRIDE also specifically targeted particular outcomes (i.e., distress and physical activity). The Oncowijzer and Prostate Cancer Education and Resources for Couples ( PERC ) studies focused on cancer survivors and their partners during the transition into survivorship (see Table for trial details).…”

“…Higher attrition in the online intervention arms may have been due to participants struggling with the Web‐based nature of the trial (Au; Ps) . Some authors suggested that accessing the intervention added burden and/or required routine adjustments (Au; Ps) . However, some studies reported lower levels of attrition than average for online trials for cancer survivors (Q; Au) , .…”

“…Web‐based interventions allow researchers to identify patterns of use and how these may be related to outcomes (Au) . Additional research to better understand these processes was recommended (Au) . Lower levels of engagement may be linked to some participants experiencing an early effect, making further use of the intervention redundant (Au) .…”

“…The participants appeared to engage more when they reported unmet needs, lower self‐esteem, and social support needs (Au; Q) . The participants often chose to access content pertaining to physical and social consequences of cancer, returning to work, and communicating with others (Au; Ps; Q) .…”

“…High usage rates in the PERC trial were deemed encouraging by study authors, particularly because the intervention targeted older adults (Au) . The exclusion of certain groups (e.g., limited computer literacy and elderly) was a concern for many authors (Au) …”