A scoping review of consumer needs for cancer information

Health information-seeking behavior in patients with coronary artery disease: Activating methods

INTRODUCTION

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has a high mortality rate worldwide, and continuous health behavior practice and careful management are required owing to risks such as rapid changes in symptoms and emergency hospitalization. The utilization of health-related information is an important factor for long-term disease management in patients with CAD. For this purpose, an understanding of health information-seeking behavior is needed first.

METHODS

This study analyzed data from the 2021 Korea Medical Panel Survey, and logistic regression analysis was conducted to confirm the factors influencing the health information-seeking behavior of patients with CAD.

RESULTS

The health information-seeking behavior of patients with CAD differed according to demographic characteristics, and differences in preferred information use were confirmed. Finally, it was identified that insufficient levels of health literacy were a major reason for CAD patients not engaging in health information-seeking behaviors (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.09-0.33; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that to improve health information-seeking behaviors, the application of education and intervention programs to increase the level of health literacy is necessary.

Exploring the potential of ChatGPT in medical dialogue summarization: a study on consistency with human preferences

BACKGROUND

Telemedicine has experienced rapid growth in recent years, aiming to enhance medical efficiency and reduce the workload of healthcare professionals. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, it became especially crucial, enabling remote screenings and access to healthcare services while maintaining social distancing. Online consultation platforms have emerged, but the demand has strained the availability of medical professionals, directly leading to research and development in automated medical consultation. Specifically, there is a need for efficient and accurate medical dialogue summarization algorithms to condense lengthy conversations into shorter versions focused on relevant medical facts. The success of large language models like generative pre-trained transformer (GPT)-3 has recently prompted a paradigm shift in natural language processing (NLP) research. In this paper, we will explore its impact on medical dialogue summarization.

METHODS

We present the performance and evaluation results of two approaches on a medical dialogue dataset. The first approach is based on fine-tuned pre-trained language models, such as bert-based summarization (BERTSUM) and bidirectional auto-regressive Transformers (BART). The second approach utilizes a large language models (LLMs) GPT-3.5 with inter-context learning (ICL). Evaluation is conducted using automated metrics such as ROUGE and BERTScore.

RESULTS

In comparison to the BART and ChatGPT models, the summaries generated by the BERTSUM model not only exhibit significantly lower ROUGE and BERTScore values but also fail to pass the testing for any of the metrics in manual evaluation. On the other hand, the BART model achieved the highest ROUGE and BERTScore values among all evaluated models, surpassing ChatGPT. Its ROUGE-1, ROUGE-2, ROUGE-L, and BERTScore values were 14.94%, 53.48%, 32.84%, and 6.73% higher respectively than ChatGPT's best results. However, in the manual evaluation by medical experts, the summaries generated by the BART model exhibit satisfactory performance only in the "Readability" metric, with less than 30% passing the manual evaluation in other metrics. When compared to the BERTSUM and BART models, the ChatGPT model was evidently more favored by human medical experts.

CONCLUSION

On one hand, the GPT-3.5 model can manipulate the style and outcomes of medical dialogue summaries through various prompts. The generated content is not only better received than results from certain human experts but also more comprehensible, making it a promising avenue for automated medical dialogue summarization. On the other hand, automated evaluation mechanisms like ROUGE and BERTScore fall short in fully assessing the outputs of large language models like GPT-3.5. Therefore, it is necessary to research more appropriate evaluation criteria.

Performance of the Palliative Prognostic Index for cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Clinician predicted survival for cancer patients is often inaccurate, and prognostic tools may be helpful, such as the Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI). The PPI development study reported that when PPI score is greater than 6, it predicted survival of less than 3 weeks with a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 85%. When PPI score is greater than 4, it predicts survival of less than 6 weeks with a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 77%. However, subsequent PPI validation studies have evaluated various thresholds and survival durations, and it is unclear which is most appropriate for use in clinical practice. With the development of numerous prognostic tools, it is also unclear which is most accurate and feasible for use in multiple care settings.

AIM

We evaluated PPI model performance in predicting survival of adult cancer patients based on different thresholds and survival durations and compared it to other prognostic tools.

DESIGN

This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022302679). We calculated the pooled sensitivity and specificity of each threshold using bivariate random-effects meta-analysis and pooled diagnostic odds ratio of each survival duration using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic model. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were used to compare PPI performance with clinician predicted survival and other prognostic tools. Findings which could not be included in meta-analyses were summarised narratively.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, CINAHL, ProQuest and Google Scholar were searched for articles published from inception till 7 January 2022. Both retrospective and prospective observational studies evaluating PPI performance in predicting survival of adult cancer patients in any setting were included. The Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was used for quality appraisal.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine studies evaluating PPI performance in predicting survival of adult cancer patients were included (n = 19,714 patients). Across meta-analyses of 12 PPI score thresholds and survival durations, we found that PPI was most accurate for predicting survival of <3 weeks and <6 weeks. Survival prediction of <3 weeks was most accurate when PPI score>6 (pooled sensitivity = 0.68, 95% CI 0.60-0.75, specificity = 0.80, 95% CI 0.75-0.85). Survival prediction of <6 weeks was most accurate when PPI score>4 (pooled sensitivity = 0.72, 95% CI 0.65-0.78, specificity = 0.74, 95% CI 0.66-0.80). Comparative meta-analyses found that PPI performed similarly to Delirium-Palliative Prognostic Score and Palliative Prognostic Score in predicting <3-week survival, but less accurately in <30-day survival prediction. However, Delirium-Palliative Prognostic Score and Palliative Prognostic Score only provide <30-day survival probabilities, and it is uncertain how this would be helpful for patients and clinicians. PPI also performed similarly to clinician predicted survival in predicting <30-day survival. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution as limited studies were available for comparative meta-analyses. Risk of bias was high for all studies, mainly due to poor reporting of statistical analyses. while there were low applicability concerns for most (38/39) studies.

CONCLUSIONS

PPI score>6 should be used for <3-week survival prediction, and PPI score>4 for <6-week survival. PPI is easily scored and does not require invasive tests, and thus would be easily implemented in multiple care settings. Given the acceptable accuracy of PPI in predicting <3- and <6-week survival and its objective nature, it could be used to cross-check clinician predicted survival especially when clinicians have doubts about their own judgement, or when clinician estimates seem to be less reliable. Future studies should adhere to the reporting guidelines and provide comprehensive analyses of PPI model performance.

Women's experience of the health information process involving a digital information tool before commencing radiation therapy for breast cancer: a deductive interview study

BACKGROUND

Individuals undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer frequently request information before, throughout and after the treatment as a means to reduce distress. Nevertheless, the provision of information to meet individuals needs from their level of health literacy is often overlooked. Thus, individuals information needs are often unmet, leading to reports of discontent. Internet and digital information technology has significantly augmented the available information and changed the way in which persons accesses and comprehends information. As health information is no longer explicitly obtained from healthcare professionals, it is essential to examine the sequences of the health information process in general, and in relation to health literacy. This paper reports on qualitative interviews, targeting women diagnosed with breast cancer who were given access to a health information technology tool, Digi-Do, before commencing radiation therapy, during, and after treatment.

METHODS

A qualitative research design, inspired by the integrated health literacy model, was chosen to enable critical reflection by the participating women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 women with access to a digital information tool, named Digi-Do, in addition to receiving standard information (oral and written) before commencing radiation therapy, during, and after treatment. A deductive thematic analysis process was conducted.

RESULTS

The results demonstrate how knowledge, competence, and motivation influence women's experience of the health information process. Three main themes were found: Meeting interactive and personal needs by engaging with health information; Critical recognition of sources of information; and Capability to communicate comprehended health information. The findings reflect the women's experience of the four competencies: to access, understand, appraise, and apply, essential elements of the health information process.

CONCLUSIONS

We can conclude that there is a need for tailored digital information tools, such as the Digi-Do, to enable iterative access and use of reliable health information before, during and after the radiation therapy process. The Digi-Do can be seen as a valuable complement to the interpersonal communication with health care professionals, facilitating a better understanding, and enabling iterative access and use of reliable health information before, during and after the radiotherapy treatment. This enhances a sense of preparedness before treatment starts.

Understanding the Pathway of Cancer Information Seeking: Cancer Information Services as a Supplement to Information from Other Sources

Cancer information services (CISs) can play an important role within the pathway of cancer information seeking, but so far, this role is not well understood. Callers (n = 6,255) who contacted the largest provider of cancer information in Germany participated in a survey in which they reported their information sources, information level, and needs leading to the call. Persons with prior information from a physician (n = 1,507) were compared to people with prior online information (n = 901) and people with prior information from both sources (n = 2,776). Nearly all callers (96.7%) stated prior sources, while physicians and the Internet were the most frequently reported sources. People, who only talked to a doctor before, are more likely to be a patient and in the disease stages during/after the first treatment or with recurrence than prior Internet users. The two groups do not differ in their prior information level but did differ in their information needs. CISs are an important supplement to other sources, while the information repertoire depends on patients' stages during the cancer journey. Specific characteristics and needs of callers with different prior information sources help to individualize the service of CISs and similar providers.

Exploring types of conversational agents for resolving cancer patients' questions and concerns: Analysis of 100 telephone consultations on breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to investigate the types of conversational agents (CA) that can help address questions and concerns ("lay topics" [LTs]).

METHODS

We analyzed audio recordings of telephone consultations with 100 breast cancer patients and their families. (1) We identified the content and mode of expression of LTs about breast cancer raised during actual telephone consultations. (2) We checked for the presence of clue information (CI) that can help patients resolve their LTs.

RESULTS

None of the 805 LTs of the 100 callers were the same. Treatment-related questions occurred in 70 of the 100 consultations. CIs were present in 52.5% of the LTs.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that chatbots (a type of CA) that offer CIs are more feasible than chatbots that answer each question directly in cancer consultations. Moreover, it is difficult to answer questions directly because preparing answers to all LTs in a breast cancer consultation is challenging owing to LT differences. Therefore, preparing high-quality CIs focused on treatments is required.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

An increasing number of cancer patients are seeking information to resolve their LTs. CAs can help supplement the limited human resources available if they are supplied with appropriate CIs.

How can we improve information for people affected by cancer? A national survey exploring gaps in current information provision, and challenges with accessing cancer information online

OBJECTIVE

Despite improved recognition regarding the importance and association between provision of high quality information for people affected by cancer and improved outcomes and experiences; gaps and unmet needs are still reported. As oncology health information provision increasingly moves online, understanding how service users experience and manage misinformation is important. Determining patient and carer preferences regarding cancer provision is needed to address outstanding gaps.

METHODS

This study utilised a purpose-built national cross-sectional survey distributed via social media to assess perspectives regarding cancer information in Australia. Quantitative and qualitative (open text) items assessed respondents' perspectives regarding current inforation preferences and gaps, and experiences with accessing information online.

RESULTS

A total of 491 people affected by cancer completed the survey. Respondents highlighted a preference for information that better addresses the diversity of cancer experience, and is more timely and responsive to personal situation and care context. Despite increasing attention to health literacy standards, complex medical jargon and terminology remains prevalent. Many respondents have concerns about misinformation, and seek improved mechanisms or skills to assist with determining the trustworthiness and relevance of information found online.

CONCLUSIONS

Survey responses identified current gaps in information provision for people affected by cancer. Personalised information in formats which are more flexible, accessible, and responsive to user needs are required.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Education and resources to target and improve digital health literacy and combat health misinformation are needed. Novel solutions co-designed by people affected by cancer will ensure that information is provided in a manner that is relevant, timely, and personalised.

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

BACKGROUND

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer fulfill their cancer-related information needs often via the Internet. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) have a crucial role in guiding patients in finding appropriate online information and eHealth sources, a role that is often overlooked. Misperceptions of AYAs' needs by HCPs may lead to suboptimal guidance. We aimed to examine the extent to which AYAs' online information and eHealth needs corresponded with HCPs' perceptions of these needs.

METHODS

Two cross-sectional online surveys (AYAs, n = 299; HCP, n = 80) on online information and eHealth needs were conducted. HCPs provided indications of their perceptions of AYA's needs.

RESULTS

AYAs reported significantly more online information needs compared with HCPs' perceptions regarding: survival rates (AYA = 69%, HCP = 35%, p < 0.001), treatment guidelines (AYA = 65%, HCP = 41%, p < 0.001), return of cancer (AYA = 76%, HCP = 59%, p = 0.004), "what can I do myself" (AYA = 68%, HCP = 54%, p = 0.029), and metastases (AYA = 64%, HCP = 50%, p = 0.040). Significantly more unmet eHealth needs were reported by AYAs compared with HCPs relating to access to own test results (AYA = 25, HCP = 0%, p < 0.001), request tests (AYA = 30%, HCP = 7%, p < 0.001), medical information (AYA = 22%, HCP = 0%, p = 0.001), e-consult with nurses (AYA = 30%, HCP = 10%, p < 0.001), e-consult with physicians (AYA = 38%, HCP = 13%, p = 0.001), and request prescriptions (AYA = 33%, HCP = 21%, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

AYAs' online information and eHealth needs are partially discrepant with the impression HCPs have, which could result in insufficient guidance related to AYAs' needs. AYAs and HCPs should get guidance regarding where to find optimal information in a language they understand. This may contribute to AYAs' access, understanding, and satisfaction regarding online information and eHealth.

Application of BP Neural Networks in Garment Pattern Design System

With the intensification of global market competition and the continuous development of the information technology, competition in the apparel market has become increasingly fierce. The key to whether China's garment industry can maintain its advantage in the international market competition in the future lies in whether it can promote and realize the informatization of the garment industry or not. After all, under the context of increasingly developed information technologies and growing competition in the garment market, mass customization of garments has become a future trend in the garment industry. As custom-made clothing is more in line with consumers' individual needs in terms of style, fabric, and size, the focus of development for clothing companies is increasingly on the grasp of the fit of clothing. However, with China's large population and the wide variety of body types, traditional hand-made garments are time-consuming and cannot meet the differentiated needs of consumers in the modern market. The design of garment samples is an important part of the industrial production of garments and is highly dependent on the skills and experience of the operators. In other words, the level of technical expertise can determine the quality and shape of a garment product to a certain extent. As a result, in order to further improve the efficiency and quality of garment sample design and to reduce the dependence on operator skills and experience, this study proposes an intelligent garment paper sample design system based on BP neural networks. The system mainly utilizes the self-learning, self-organizing, and adaptive as well as nonlinear mapping functions of artificial neural networks to design clothing samples autonomously, thus improving the design efficiency. In the era of rapid development of information technology and artificial intelligence technology, the development of intelligent garment pattern design systems with independent intellectual property rights is of great significance in promoting the prosperity of the garment industry.

Impact of language preference and health literacy on health information-seeking experiences among a low-income, multilingual cohort

OBJECTIVE

We examined the impact of language preference and health literacy on health information-seeking experiences in a multilingual, low-income cohort.

METHODS

We administered a modified Health Information National Trends Survey in English, Spanish, and Chinese to a sample of San Francisco city/county residents. Using multivariable logistic regression analyses, we assessed how language and health literacy impact health information-seeking experiences (confidence, effort, frustration, quality concerns, and difficulty understanding information), adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, usual place of care, health status, information-seeking behaviors, and smartphone ownership.

RESULTS

Of 1000 participants (487 English-speaking, 256 Spanish-speaking, 257 Chinese-speaking), 820 (82%) reported at least one negative health information-seeking experience. Chinese-language was associated with frustration (aOR = 2.56; 1.12-5.86). Difficulty understanding information was more likely in Spanish-language respondents (aOR = 3.58; 1.25-10.24). Participants with limited health literacy reported more effort (aOR = 1.97; 1.22-3.17), frustration (aOR = 2.09; 1.28-3.43), concern about quality (aOR = 2.72; 1.60-4.61), and difficulty understanding information (aOR = 2.53; 1.58-4.05). Language and literacy impacted confidence only in the interaction term between Chinese-speakers and health literacy.

CONCLUSION

We found that negative health information-seeking experiences were common in non-English speaking populations those with limited health literacy.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Health communication efforts should consider both language preference and health literacy to ensure accessibility for all patients.

Cancer Information Overload Across Time: Evidence from Two Longitudinal Studies

A majority of U.S. adults report feeling overwhelmed by the amount of available cancer information, termed cancer information overload (CIO). Research has demonstrated CIO is prevalent and negatively related to health behaviors, but no study to date has examined this disposition across time. Two longitudinal studies - a colonoscopy intervention among older U.S. adults (N = 237) and an HPV vaccination intervention among young U.S. women (N = 411) - were utilized to examine CIO stability across time and its relationship to prevention intentions and indifference. CIO increased indifference for non-adherent individuals but had no effect on intentions. CIO was stable in study 1 but not study 2, suggesting CIO stabilizes across the life course. Results also support a five-item measure of CIO.

Palliative and End-of-Life Care Service Models: To What Extent Are Consumer Perspectives Considered?

This article presents evidence found in a search of national and international literature for patient preferences concerning settings in which to receive palliative care and the appropriateness of different models of palliative care. The purpose was to inform end-of-life care policy and service development of the Western Australian Department of Health through a rapid review of the literature. It was found that consumer experience of palliative care is investigated poorly, and consumer contribution to service and policy design is limited and selective. Most patients experience a mix of settings during their illness, and evidence found by the review has more to do with qualities and values that will contribute to good end-of-life care in any location. Models of care do not make systematic use of the consumer data that are available to them, although an increasingly common theme is the need for integration of the various sources of care supporting dying people. It is equally clear that most integration models limit their attention to end-of-life care provided by health services. Transitions between settings merit further attention. We argue that models of care should take account of consumer experience not by incorporating generalised evidence but by co-creating services with local communities using a public health approach.

A survey of health information seeking by cancer patients indicates some problems over medical explanations and terminology

BACKGROUND

Cancer patients may experience stress because of insufficient information about their illness, health condition, or treatment, but some may fear what the information reveals.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine health information-seeking behaviour, the attitudes of cancer patients, the barriers they face in seeking health information and their sociodemographic and disease characteristics.

METHODS

A survey was conducted with 84 cancer patients in Turkey. Descriptive statistics were performed to determine the characteristics of information seeking and barriers found.

RESULTS

Cancer patients are likely to seek health information, often confident about finding resources easily. The main problems are as follows: (1) insufficient information from health care providers; (2) understanding medical terminology; and (3) lack of help from health care providers to explain information retrieved.

DISCUSSION

The information-seeking behaviour of cancer patients in this sample in Turkey resembles studies elsewhere, with (overall) evidence of monitoring behaviour (wanting to find out more about the disease, treatment and effects on lived experience).

CONCLUSIONS

The cancer patients in this survey were generally willing and confident in their information seeking to find out more about the disease, treatment and effects on lifestyle. The main barriers were medical terminology, insufficient explanations and information from healthcare providers.

Using a Mobile App-Based Video Recommender System of Patient Narratives to Prepare Women for Breast Cancer Surgery: Development and Usability Study Informed by Qualitative Data

Background

Women diagnosed with breast cancer are often bombarded with information. Such information overload can lead to misunderstandings and hamper women’s capacity for making informed decisions about their care. For women with breast cancer, this uncertainty is particularly severe in the period before surgery. Personalized narratives about others’ experiences can help patients better understand the disease course, the quality and type of care to be expected, the clinical decision-making processes, and the strategies for coping. Existing resources and eHealth apps rarely include experiential information, and no tools exist that tailor information for individual preferences and needs—offering the right information at the right time and in the right format. Combining high-quality experiential evidence with novel technical approaches may contribute to patient-centered solutions in this area.

Objective

This study aims to design and seek preliminary feedback on a mobile app that will improve information access about surgery for patients with breast cancer, by drawing on a qualitative collection of personal narratives from a diverse sample of Canadian women and using video and audio recordings or audio recordings from the Canadian Health Experiences Research Network.

Methods

In a previous study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 35 Canadian women and used video and audio recordings or audio recordings to collect stories about the lived experiences of breast cancer. The participants highlighted the need for more specific information between diagnosis and surgery that was relevant to their personal situations and preferences. They also wanted to learn from other women’s experiences. We worked with patients, clinicians, and informatics experts to develop a mobile app that provides access to tailored experiential information relevant to women’s personal situations and preferences. We completed focus groups and qualitative interviews, conducted a further analysis of the original qualitative data, designed novel software using artificial intelligence, and sought preliminary feedback from users on a new app via focus groups and a survey.

Results

The secondary analysis of the breast cancer narratives revealed key themes and their interconnections relevant to the experience of surgery, including preparation, treatment decisions, aftercare, reconstruction, prostheses, lumpectomy and mastectomy, and complications. These themes informed the development of the structure and content of the app. We developed a recommender system within the app by using content matching (user and speaker profiles and user interests and video content) and collaborative filtering to identify clips marked as relevant by the user and by similar users. A 2-minute animated introductory video for users was developed. Pilot testing revealed generally positive responses regarding the content and value of this type of e-tool.

Conclusions

Developing reliable, evidence-based tools and apps that are based on diverse collections of people’s experiences of illness offers a novel approach to help manage the plethora of information that women face after a diagnosis of breast cancer.

The Knowledge and Attitude of Patients Diagnosed with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer towards Genetic Testing

This study assessed the knowledge and attitude of patients with ovarian cancer (OC) toward OC and next generation sequencing (NGS). The data, including characteristics of patients, their knowledge about OC and their knowledge and attitude of NGS, were collected from June to October 2018. Of the 103 participants, 70.9% (n = 73) had cancer within the second-degree relatives, and 18.4% (n = 19) had BRCA pathogenic mutations. The percentage of right answer for the knowledge about OC and NGS was 64.7% (11/17) and 50% (6/12), respectively. The median number of patients who had positive expectations for the genetic test was 34 (range, 22-44). Based on a first-degree familial history, patients had a different degree of knowledge about OC (11 vs. 8.5, p = 0.026) and NGS (6.5 vs. 5, p = 0.011), but patients with a BRCA pathogenic mutation did not have a different degree of knowledge about OC and NGS panel testing. High-income families had a more positive attitude towards the genetic test than low-income families (p = 0.005). Women with OC do not have enough knowledge about OC (11/17, 64.7%) and NGS (6/12, 50%) but they showed a positive attitude toward the NGS test. These women need OC and NGS educational intervention.

How clinician-patient communication affects trust in health information sources: Temporal trends from a national cross-sectional survey

Background

Understanding patients’ trust in health information sources is critical to designing work systems in healthcare. Patient-centered communication during the visit might be a major factor in shaping patients’ trust in information sources.

Objective

The purpose of this paper is to explore relationships between patient ratings of clinician communication during the visit and patient trust in health information sources.

Methodology

We conducted a secondary analysis of the nationally-representative Health Information National Trends Surveys; HINTS4 Cycle1 (2011), HINTS4 Cycle4 (2014), and HINTS5 Cycle1 (2017), and HINTS5 Cycle2 (2018). We created a composite score of patient-centered communication from five questions and dichotomized at the median. We created multivariable logistic regression models to see how patient-centered communication influenced trust in different information sources across cycles. Consecutively, we used hierarchical analysis for aggregated data.

Results

We analyzed data from 14,425 individuals. In the adjusted logistic models for each cycle and the hierarchical model, clinicians’ perceived patient-centered communication skills were significantly associated with increased trust in the clinicians as an information source.

Conclusion

Clinicians still represent an essential source of trustworthy information reinforced by patient-centered communication skills. Given that trust helps build healing relationships that lead to better healthcare outcomes, communication sets an essential foundation to establish necessary trust. Interpreting information from the internet sources for patients is likely to remain a vital clinician function.

Direct-to-Consumer Advertising for Cancer Centers and Institutes: Ethical Dilemmas and Practical Implications

In the United States, many cancer centers advertise their clinical services directly to the public. Although there are potential public benefits from such advertising, including increased patient awareness of treatment options and improved access to care and clinical trials, there is also potential for harm through misinformation, provision of false hope, inappropriate use of health care resources, and disruption in doctor-patient relationships. Although patient education through advertising is appropriate, misleading patients in the name of gaining market share, boosting profits, or even boosting trial accrual is not. It is critical that rigorous ethical guidelines are adopted and that oversight is introduced to ensure that cancer center marketing supports good patient care and public health interests. Patients with cancer have been identified as an especially vulnerable population because of fears and anxiety related to their diagnosis and the very real need to identify optimal sources of care. Cancer organizations have a fiduciary duty and a moral and legal obligation to provide truthful information to avoid deceptive, inaccurate claims associated with treatment success. In this article, actionable recommendations are provided for both the oncologist and the cancer center's marketing team to promote ethical marketing of services to patients with cancer. This tailored guidance for the oncology community includes explicit communication on (1) ensuring fair and balanced promotion of cancer services, (2) avoiding exaggeration of claims in the context of reputational marketing, (3) providing data and statistics to support direct and implied assertions of treatment success, and (4) defining eligible patient groups in the context of marketing for research. These recommendations for cancer centers are designed to promote ethical quality marketing information to patients with cancer.

New Approach for Collecting Cancer Patients' Views and Preferences Through Medical Staff

PURPOSE

It is crucial for health professionals to understand patients' and families' views and preferences (PVPs) to enhance their adherence to treatments and subsequent satisfaction. Regularly and consistently collecting comprehensive information on the needs and concerns of patients/families and utilizing the information is vital for improving clinical practice and the healthcare environment. As an initial approach, this study aimed to develop a new system for appropriately collecting PVPs regarding cancer from nationwide medical staff and consider the potential utilization of PVPs in clinical practice.

METHODS

Web-based anonymous surveys were conducted with medical staff in nationwide cancer care hospitals in Japan. The surveys queried the questions, values, desires, and experiences expressed by cancer patients or their families on five topics, namely two cancer sites (colorectal and esophageal cancers) and three symptoms and signs (lymphedema, urinary symptoms, and tingling/numbness/pain) within the past year. The PVPs were compared to the five topics and staff medical specialties, and those on tingling/numbness/pain were analyzed qualitatively.

RESULTS

Among the 904 medical staff who responded to this survey, the PVPs encountered by the staff differed according to the topic and staff medical specialty. Tingling/numbness/pain was the most frequently encountered symptom, and urinary symptoms were the least encountered. Only half or fewer of the medical staff had information available regarding urinary symptoms and tingling/numbness/pain. Further, qualitative content analysis of the expressed PVPs regarding tingling/numbness/pain raised clinical questions on this topic that led to the construction of a "Questions & Answers" section on a public website in Japan.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that collecting PVPs through nationwide cancer-related medical staff might be an efficient way to understand the specific requirements of patients/families. It would also be possible to document PVP trends according to changes in the environments of patients/families by nationwide, consistent, and continuous PVP collection.

Creation and provision of a question and answer resource for esophageal cancer based on medical professionals' reports of patients' and families' views and preferences

BACKGROUND

In the rapidly-progressing healthcare environment, it is essential to improve treatment quality through continuous clarification of the needs and concerns of esophageal cancer patients and their families. Effective collaboration between information providers and academic associations could help make such clarified information available.

METHODS

We analyzed esophageal cancer patients' views and preferences (PVPs) using data that were previously obtained from medical staff in Japan. Based on these PVPs, we created a question and answer (Q&A) resource through collaboration with the Cancer Information Service in Japan (CISJ) and the Japan Esophageal Society (JES).

RESULTS

Regarding esophageal cancer, "diet and eating behavior" was the most frequent PVP mentioned by patients and their families, followed by "treatment-related symptoms and adverse effects" and "daily life, recuperation, and survivorship." These PVPs were noted by a wide variety of medical specialties. By analyzing the PVPs, the CISJ developed 11 proposed questions and sent them to the JES, which then created answers based on evidence and clinical-practice-associated consensus. The resultant Q&A resource was uploaded to the CISJ website with mutual linkage to the JES website.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed the usefulness of collecting esophageal-cancer-related PVPs from medical staff and fostering successful collaboration between a cancer-information provider and an academic association. This arrangement may represent a model case for developing a sustainable system that can satisfactorily respond to PVPs regarding other cancers and/or issues.

Understanding the Public's Emotions about Cancer: Analysis of Social Media Data

Cancer survivors suffer from emotional distress, which varies depending on several factors. However, existing emotion management programs are insufficient and do not take into consideration all of the factors. Social media provides a platform for understanding the emotions of the public. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the public's emotions about cancer and factors affecting emotions using social media data. We used 321,339 posts on cancer and emotions relating to cancer extracted from 22 social media channels between 1 January 2014, and 30 June 2017. The factors affecting emotions were analyzed using association rule mining and social network analysis. Hope/gratitude was the most frequently mentioned emotion group on social media followed by fear/anxiety/overwhelmed, sadness/depression/loneliness/guilt, and anger/denial. Acute survival stage, treatment method, and breast cancer were associated with hope/gratitude. Early stage, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue/pain/fever, and pancreatic cancer were associated with fear/anxiety/overwhelmed. Surgery, hair loss/skin problems, and fatigue/pain/fever were associated with sadness/depression/loneliness/guilt. Acute survival stage and hair loss/skin problems were associated with anger/denial. We found that emotions concerning cancer differed depending on the cancer type, cancer stage, survival stage, treatment, and symptoms. These findings could guide the development of tailored emotional management programs for cancer survivors that meet the public's needs more effectively.

Qualitative Assessment of Unmet Information Management Needs of Informal Cancer Caregivers: Four Themes to Inform Oncology Practice

PURPOSE

Family and friends often provide informal care for patients with cancer, coordinating care and supporting patients at home. Stress, depression, and burnout are increasingly recognized among these informal caregivers. Although past research has described a range of needs, including the need for information, details about unmet informational needs for caregivers have not been fully described. We sought to assess unmet information management needs for informal caregivers in the digital era.

METHODS

This was a qualitative research study with semistructured interviews and focus groups of nonprofessional caregivers for patients with cancer, facilitated using a discussion guide. Eligible caregivers supported patients in the community who were in treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy) or completed treatment within 3 years. Participants were recruited using informational flyers at an academic cancer center and in the local community of metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sessions were transcribed verbatim and analyzed inductively to identify themes.

RESULTS

Thirteen caregivers participated, the majority between 41 and 60 years of age: seven of 13, 53.8%, were predominantly women; 10 of 13 (76.9%) were educated, 10 of 13 (76.9%) had graduated from college; and of modest means, six of 13 (46.2%) had household incomes < $35,000. Four themes emerged: (1) the information overload paradox, where caregivers felt overloaded by information yet had unmet informational needs; (2) navigating volatility as a caregiver, with changing or unknown expectations; (3) caregivers as information brokers, which placed new burdens on caregivers to seek, share, and protect information; and (4) care for the caregiver, including unmet information needs related to self-care.

CONCLUSION

This study identified several informational challenges affecting caregivers. Caregivers have dynamic and evolving informational needs, and strategies that support caregivers through just-in-time information availability or dedicated caregiver check-ins may provide relief within the stress of caregiving.

Understanding Facilitators and Barriers of Online Cancer Information Utilization among Cancer Survivors and their Families: Focus on the Theory of Planned Behavior

Objective:

Cancer survivors have various health care needs and are willing to be proactive with their health maintenance. Online information would be a useful resource to guide cancer survivors and their family members. Therefore, identifying the factors that influence Internet searching behaviors among cancer survivors and their family members is a first step toward providing better health care services for cancer care.

Methods:

We performed focus group interviews that were based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, with thirty-one participants to explore factors related to Internet search behaviors among cancer survivors and their family members.

Results:

Six themes were identified in the analysis of participant interviews. Attitudes toward searching for health information on the Internet included the themes “Fulfilling unmet needs” and “Confirmation through second opinion.” Themes related to social norms included “a required step for sure” and “helping each other.” In terms of perceived behavioral control, themes included “difficult to choose because of being ‘overwhelmed with information,’” and “complex searching milieu.”

Conclusion:

It was clear that cancer survivors and their family members had unmet needs for maintaining their health status. They wanted to be informed and actively involved in the decision-making process regarding health management. Consultation and education provided to patients by doctors should not only include information on diet and nutrition but also information on the resulting complications to satisfy their need for reliable health information.

Comparing cancer survivors in population-based samples with those in online cancer communities: Identifying differences in internet use and information needs (Preprint)

Background

Most Western countries have websites that provide information on cancer and the opportunity to participate in online cancer communities (OCCs). The number of patients with cancer that participate in these OCCs is growing. These patients are relatively easy to approach for research purposes.

Objective

The objective of this study is to determine the differences and similarities between survivors of cancer in population-based samples and survivors participating in OCCs who use the internet in relation to their illness.

Methods

In 2017, we drew a sample of 539 population-based patients and 531 OCC patients. The population-based patients were sent a paper-based questionnaire, and the OCC patients were sent the same questionnaire on the web. In the questionnaire, we asked patients about their sociodemographics, internet use, sources of information, media use, and wishes regarding future internet use for health care–related purposes, and the effect of internet use on their health care consumption.

Results

The response rate of population-based internet users was 47% (233/496), and that of the OCC group was 40.3% (214/531). The OCC group had a significantly higher education level (P<.001), was younger (P<.001), had more survivors that were employed (P<.001), and attached greater importance to the internet (171/214, 79.9% vs 126/233, 54.1%; P<.001) and fellow survivors (107/214, 50% vs 60/233, 25.8%; P<.001). Compared with the population-based group, the OCC group reported more intensive internet use immediately after diagnosis, during treatment, and during follow-up (P<.001 in each case). There were similarities in terms of the relative importance that survivors attach to the various sources of information, the topics on which they seek information, and their wishes for future eHealth possibilities. The OCC group reported a greater need to participate in a web-based class or chat with others (92/214, 43% vs 44/233, 18.9%).

Conclusions

We conclude that survivors who are members of an OCC are not representative of survivors of cancer in general. There are significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics, internet use during their treatment journey, internet search frequency during their cancer journey, and participation wishes. Using web-based information and communication can support shared decision-making and may facilitate the active participation of patients during their treatment. For research purposes, it is important to take the bias in OCC groups into account.

Non-use of cancer information services among people experiencing cancer in Ireland

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons for non-use of a national cancer society's cancer information services among people experiencing cancer.

METHOD

This study used a qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 17 participants who had not previously utilised the Cancer Society's information services. Data were analysed using Thematic Analysis.

RESULTS

The key themes to emerge from the date were 'living in the here and now' and 'awareness of the Cancer Society'. For most participants, not utilising cancer information services was a means of coping with the initial diagnosis and the impact of treatment. Those who progressed to being ready to seek information identified the multi-disciplinary team as the primary source of trusted information, with particular mention of cancer nurse specialists. For participants with children, their role as a parent was central in how they managed their diagnosis. The majority of participants lacked awareness of the range of services provided by the Cancer Society.

CONCLUSIONS

Reasons for non-use of cancer information services were identified as: readiness to seek information and a lack of knowledge of the Cancer Societies' services. Cancer information services need to continue make a concerted effort to enhance visibility and awareness of its services to optimise patient engagement.

Outcomes of a randomized controlled trial assessing a smartphone Application to reduce unmet needs among people diagnosed with CancEr (ACE)

BACKGROUND

Smartphone technology represents an opportunity to deliver practical solutions for people affected by cancer at a scale that was previously unimaginable, such as information, appointment monitoring, and improved access to cancer support services. This study aimed to determine whether a smartphone application (app) reduced the unmet needs among people newly diagnosed with cancer.

METHODS

A single blind, multisite randomized controlled trial to determine the impact of an app-based, 4-month intervention. Newly diagnosed cancer patients were approached at three health service treatment clinics.

RESULTS

Eighty-two people were randomized (intervention; n = 43 and control; n = 39), average age was 59.5 years (SD: 12.9); 71% female; 67% married or in a de facto relationship. At baseline, there were no differences in participants' characteristics between the groups. No significant effects, in reducing unmet needs, were demonstrated at the end of intervention (4-month) or 12-month follow-up. Overall, 94% used the app in weeks 1-4, which decreased to 41% in weeks 13-16. Mean app use time per participant: Cancer Information, 6.9 (SD: 18.9) minutes; Appointment Schedule, 5.1 (SD: 9.6) minutes; Cancer Services 1.5 minutes (SD: 6.8); Hospital Navigation, 1.4 (SD: 2.8) minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite consumer involvement in the design of this smartphone technology, the app did not reduce unmet needs. This may have been due to the study being underpowered. To contribute to a meaningful understanding and improved implementation of smartphone technology to support people affected by cancer, practical considerations, such as recruitment issues and access to, and confidence with, apps, need to be considered. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registration (ACTRN) Trial Registration: 12616001251415; WEF 7/9/2016.