The development and preliminary testing of a multimedia patient–provider survivorship communication module for breast cancer survivors

• Published in: Patient education and counseling Vol. 88; no. 2; pp. 344 - 349
• Main Authors: Wen, Kuang-Yi, Miller, Suzanne M, Stanton, Annette L, Fleisher, Linda, Morra, Marion E, Jorge, Alexandra, Diefenbach, Michael A, Ropka, Mary E, Marcus, Alfred C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.08.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Breast cancer; Breast cancer survivorship; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; Breast Neoplasms - therapy; Communication; Computers; Developmental processes; Evidence based; Female; Formative evaluation; Humans; Internal Medicine; Internet; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Multimedia; Multimedia - utilization; Nursing; Patient Education as Topic - methods; Patient Satisfaction; Patient Selection; Patient–provider communication; Professional-Family Relations; Program Development; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Socioeconomic Factors; Survival Rate; Survivors; Survivors - psychology; Usability testing; Vetting; Web-based patient education; United States > US; Formative evaluation; Patient–provider communication; Web-based patient education; Usability testing; Breast cancer survivorship; Evaluation; Patient; Mammary gland; Internet; Malignant tumor; Health education; Health staff patient relation; Formation; Cancer; Communication; Teaching
• ISSN: 0738-3991; 1873-5134
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2012.02.003

Abstract Objective This paper describes the development of a theory-guided and evidence-based multimedia training module to facilitate breast cancer survivors’ preparedness for effective communication with their health care providers after active treatment. Methods The iterative developmental process used included: (1) theory and evidence-based content development and vetting; (2) user testing; (3) usability testing; and (4) participant module utilization. Results Formative evaluation of the training module prototype occurred through user testing ( n = 12), resulting in modification of the content and layout. Usability testing ( n = 10) was employed to improve module functionality. Preliminary web usage data ( n = 256, mean age = 53, 94.5% White, 75% college graduate and above) showed that 59% of the participants accessed the communication module, for an average of 7 min per login. Conclusion The iterative developmental process was informative in enhancing the relevance of the communication module. Preliminary web usage results demonstrate the potential feasibility of such a program. Practice implications Our study demonstrates survivors’ openness to the use of a web-based communication skills training module and outlines a systematic iterative user and interface program development and testing process, which can serve as a prototype for others considering such an approach.