AYAs' online information and eHealth needs: A comparison with healthcare professionals' perceptions

Availability of Adolescent and Young Adult-Specific Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs and Resources: A Review of the Websites of National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors often search online for information about cancer-related sexual and reproductive health concerns. A review of the websites of National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers (n = 9) and comprehensive cancer centers (n = 58) was conducted to identify the presence of AYA-specific sexual and reproductive health programming and resources. No AYA-specific sexual health programs were found. Oncofertility programs were presented on 56% (n = 5) of cancer centers and 50% (n = 29) of comprehensive cancer center websites. As the population grows, it is imperative that cancer centers provide services to meet AYAs' sexual and reproductive health needs and highlight these services on their websites.

The Online Health Information-Seeking Behaviors of People Who Have Experienced Stroke: Qualitative Interview Study

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. As health resources become digitized, it is important to understand how people who have experienced stroke engage with online health information. This understanding will aid in guiding the development and dissemination of online resources to support people after stroke.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the online health information-seeking behaviors of people who have experienced stroke and any related barriers or navigational needs.

METHODS

Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants via email between March and November 2022. The sampling was done from an existing cohort of Australian stroke survivors who had previously participated in a randomized controlled trial of an online secondary prevention program. The cohort consisted of people with low levels of disability. Semistructured one-on-one interviews were conducted via phone or video calls. These calls were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed by 2 independent coders using a combined inductive-deductive approach. In the deductive analysis, responses were mapped to an online health information-seeking behavior framework. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze the remaining raw data that did not fit within the deductive theoretical framework.

RESULTS

A sample of 15 relatively independent, high-functioning people who had experienced stroke from 4 Australian states, aged between 29 and 80 years, completed the interview. A broad range of online health information-seeking behaviors were identified, with most relating to participants wanting to be more informed about medical conditions and symptoms of their own or of a family member or a friend. Barriers included limited eHealth literacy and too much generalization of online information. Online resources were described to be more appealing and more accessible if they were high-quality, trustworthy, easy to use, and suggested by health care providers or trusted family members and friends. Across the interviews, there was an underlying theme of disconnection that appeared to impact not only the participants' online health information seeking, but their overall experience after stroke. These responses were grouped into 3 interrelated subthemes: disconnection from conventional stroke narratives and resources, disconnection from the continuing significance of stroke, and disconnection from long-term supports.

CONCLUSIONS

People who have experienced stroke actively engage with the internet to search for health information with varying levels of confidence. The underlying theme of disconnection identified in the interviews highlights the need for a more comprehensive and sustained framework for support after stroke beyond the initial recovery phase. Future research should explore the development of tailored and relatable internet-based resources, improved communication and education about the diversity of stroke experiences and ongoing risks, and increased opportunities for long-term support.

Identifying the informational needs and sources of support of Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer survivors to inform the development of a digital platform

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine the (age-specific) informational needs and support sources used by Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer survivors throughout their cancer trajectory and socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with most common AYA-related informational needs.

METHODS

A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among AYA cancer survivors (mean, 10.3 years after diagnosis, SD = 5.6). Informational needs and sources of support were examined via open questions and analyzed via a thematic inductive approach. Responses on informational needs were categorized according to the AYA anamnesis of the Dutch AYA "Young & Cancer" Care Network used in clinical practice. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were performed to assess differences in socio-demographic and clinical characteristics among AYA cancer survivors based on their varying levels of informational needs.

RESULTS

In total, 593 AYA cancer survivors were included (mean, 32.2 years at diagnosis, SD = 5.6). Most common informational needs were related to: family and children (23%), fertility and pregnancy (23%), work and reintegration (20%), peers with cancer (13%), and intimacy and sexuality (13%). Females, AYA cancer survivors diagnosed a longer time ago, those with a college/university education, those diagnosed with breast or hematological malignancies, and those treated with chemotherapy were more likely to have AYA-related informational needs. The most often used sources of support were healthcare professionals (76%), family (72%), social life (69%), and websites (47%).

CONCLUSIONS

AYA cancer survivors have informational needs related to their life stage including topics like family and children, and fertility. Tailored information services and support are needed, including opportunities to connect with peers and support for relatives. By addressing the informational needs and sources of support for AYA cancer survivors, we can improve AYA care programs and empower AYA cancer survivors to better cope with the consequences associated with their disease.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

This study will help to inform the content of AYA websites and platforms and help AYA cancer survivors, relatives, and healthcare professionals to become more aware of the needs of AYA cancer survivors and facilitate better use of relevant information and support services.

Patient-reported outcomes in cancer survivorship: insights from two decades of population-based PROFILES registry research

PURPOSE

When the field of cancer survivorship research was in its infancy, the PROFILES registry was set up in 2004 to monitor patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in survivors and a normative population. This scoping review aims to summarize lessons learned from developing a population-based PRO registry, focusing on study methodologies, data collection shifts, data utilization, multidisciplinary collaboration, societal impact, and data sharing.

METHODS

A systematic computerized literature search through PubMed was performed to collect all publications using data from the PROFILES registry between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2023.

RESULTS

The PROFILES registry's research today encompassed 249 papers from 35 studies. Key insights include the importance of multi-hospital collaboration, which enhances participant inclusion and result generalizability. Optimizing response rates and patient inclusion is achieved through proactive data collection methods such as inclusion by health care professionals, and using both web-based and paper questionnaires. Longitudinal studies, despite their intensive data collection efforts, provide critical insights into the consequences of cancer and its treatment on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from diagnosis through survivorship. Combining PRO data with comprehensive clinical registry data ensures reliable datasets, crucial for drawing meaningful conclusions. The shift towards multidisciplinary collaboration, open-access publishing, and data sharing all contribute to accessible and impactful research.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights key insights from the PROFILES registry, emphasizing multi-hospital collaboration, proactive data collection, and the integration of PROs with clinical data.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

These lessons can guide future research on cancer survivorship, improving methodologies to enhance survivorship care and quality of life through multidisciplinary collaboration and data sharing.

Correlates of COVID-19 Information Overload and Information Seeking: Evidence from a Community Survey

PURPOSE

To examine the relationships among health literacy, risk perceptions, COVID-19 information overload, health information seeking, and race/ethnicity.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional non-probability community survey conducted between December 2020 and January 2021. A questionnaire was developed in collaboration with a local minority health task force.

SETTING

Albany, New York, USA.

SAMPLE

331 adults residing in Albany, NY and neighboring areas (80.3% completion rate).

MEASURES

Multi-item scales were used to measure health literacy, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, information overload, and health information seeking frequency and types.

ANALYSIS

We conducted multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

Health literacy (standardized β = -.33, P < .001) and perceived severity (β = -.23, P < .001) were negatively associated with information overload. Information overload was negatively associated with health information seeking frequency (β = -.16, P < .05) and types (β = -.19, P < .01). A further analysis shows several factors, including information overload and race (African Americans), were negatively related to seeking specific types of information.

CONCLUSION

We find that low health literacy and perceived severity contribute to information overload and that information overload adversely affects health information seeking. Black individuals are less likely to search for certain types of information. The cross-sectional study design limits our ability to determine causality. Future research should employ panel data to determine the directionality of the observed relationships.

Development of the Together - Teens&20s microsite, an online resource for adolescent and young adult cancer patients

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the information needs and preferences of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients to guide next steps for development of a new online resource for this audience. The goals were to understand information needs, prioritize topic areas, and inform website design and functionality.

Methods

Participants were AYA cancer patients ages 13-25 years. We used multiple methods in two phases to gather audience feedback. The first phase collected quantitative data in an electronic survey (n = 45) about AYA patients' internet use and content preferences. The second phase collected qualitative data through focus groups (n = 13) about user preferences for content design and website function.

Results

Survey results showed AYA patients were more interested in content about how treatments would impact their lives rather than the treatments themselves. They preferred content on school, careers, relationships, independence, side effects, and fertility. The focus groups indicated AYA patients prefer a clean, stylish design; infographics and visual aids; and the ability to find information quickly and control the amount they read.

Conclusions

Online resources represent an important opportunity to advance cancer education for AYA patients. However, it is important to consider the information needs and preferences of this audience in content design and delivery.

Innovation

Practitioners should use stakeholder input to guide the creation of patient education resources that are age- and audience-appropriate. This study provides insights into AYA information needs and preferences in pediatric oncology.