Designing tailored Internet support to assist cancer patients in illness management

AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2007 Oct 11;2007:635-9.

Abstract

This paper describes the development and a preliminary usage analysis of a novel Internet-based support system that assists cancer patients in symptom monitoring and disease management. The system, called WebChoice, allows patients to monitor symptoms over time, and provides access to evidence-based self-management options tailored to their reported symptoms as well as a communication area where patients can ask questions to a clinical nurse specialist and exchange experiences with other cancer patients. A currently ongoing randomized clinical trial evaluates effects of WebChoice on patient outcomes. This paper describes essential features of WebChoice, steps we used to design it as user-friendly as possible; and preliminary findings on patients use.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Disease Management
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Male
  • Norway
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Self Care / methods*
  • Social Support*