Background Patients are increasingly using mobile health (mHealth) apps to monitor their health and educate themselves about medical issues. Despite the increasing popularity of such apps, poor design and usability often lead to suboptimal continued use of these apps and subsequently to poor adherence to the behavior changes at which they are aimed. One solution to these design problems is for app developers to use user-centered design (UCD) principles to consider the context and needs of users during the development process. Objective This study aimed to present a case study on the design and development process for an mHealth app that uses virtual human technology (VHT) to encourage colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among patients aged 50 years and above. Methods We have first provided an overview of the project and discussed its utilization of VHT. We have then reviewed UCD principles and how they can be incorporated into the development of health apps. We have described how we used UCD processes during the app’s development. We have then discussed the unique roles played by communication researchers, computer scientists, clinicians, and community participants in creating an mHealth app that is credible, usable, effective, and accessible to its target audience. Results The principles of UCD were woven throughout the project development, with researchers collecting feedback from patients and providers at all stages and using that feedback to improve the credibility, usability, effectiveness, and accessibility of the mHealth app. The app was designed in an iterative process, which encouraged feedback and improvement of the app and allowed teams from different fields to revisit topics and troubleshoot problems. Conclusions Implementing a UCD process contributed to the development of an app, which not only reflected cross-disciplinary expertise but also the needs, wants, and concerns of patients.
Results of the study suggest racial differences still exist when it comes to attitudes toward homosexuality in the United States. Findings indicate Black individuals hold significantly less favorable attitudes toward lesbian/gay/bisexual (LGB) individuals than non-Hispanic White individuals but not Hispanics, after controlling for demographics. Hispanic individuals' attitudes toward LGBs were not significantly different from those of non-Hispanic Whites. Despite less favorable attitudes toward LGBs, however, Black Americans display a significantly lower likelihood of engaging in LGB-directed microaggressions than both non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics. Finally, the results of the study indicate that as non-Hispanic White individuals' ethnic identity gets stronger, their likelihood of engaging in microaggressions toward LGBs increases, more so than Black or Hispanic individuals.
104 Background: Immunotherapy is a relatively new method of cancer treatment which has seen little research into its psychosocial side effects. A clearer understanding of the source of anxiety for those undergoing immunotherapy is crucial as anxiety during cancer treatment can result in decreased treatment adherence, increased mortality rates, and other negative outcomes. This study surveyed 112 cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy to understand their top treatment-related concerns. Methods: RNs in twelve clinics across the U.S. recruited participants into Immunotherapy & Me, a study run by the Cancer Support Community (CSC). Participants were given access to a selection of CSC’s world-class support resources designed to help them and their loved ones manage their treatment. While accessing these resources, participants were encouraged to complete a monthly survey online either at their clinic or at home for seven months. This survey included CancerSupportSource – CSC’s scientifically-validated distress screening tool – as well as some additional questions specifically tailored to immunotherapy patients. Results: The most frequent source of concern related to diagnosis and treatment was “feeling too tired to do things you want to need or do” ( M = 1.21, SD = 1.01), closely followed by “exercising and being physically active” ( M = 1.05, SD = .93). Other concerns included the future ( M = 1.03, SD = .99) and financial ( M = 1.02, SD = 1.16). There were significant differences between age groups in concerns about disruption to life F(4, 97) = 3.52, p < .01; pain F(4,97) = p < .05; finances F(4,97) = 2.86, p < .05; and fatigue F(4, 96) = 2.47, p< .05. Older participants were significantly less concerned about disruption to life as compared to younger participants while younger participants were more concerned about pain than older participants. Conclusions: Cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy do not have a single, outstanding concern. Instead, these patients have several concerns, the level of which varies significantly between age groups and gender. This suggests the need for a subsequent study that explores a more refined list of categories and probes which specific aspects of diagnosis and treatment generate these concerns. Clinical trial information: NCT03347058.
Background: Latina metastatic breast cancer survivors, in particular those of low socioeconomic status, often receive unsatisfactory medical care and experience poor physician-patient communication and relationships.1 Patient education about metastatic breast cancer can improve communication between Latina survivors and caregivers and their health care team.2 This analysis explores participants’ experiences gained from Cancer Support Community’s national evidence-based educational program, Frankly Speaking about Cancer: Cáncer de seno metástatico (Metastatic Breast Cancer). Methods: Frankly Speaking about Cancer (FSAC): Metastatic Breast Cancer is a comprehensive psychosocial educational program that provides information about current treatments, side effect management, and social and emotional challenges of an advanced breast cancer diagnosis. FSAC: Metastatic Breast Cancer was originally created in English and was then translated into Spanish to make the program more accessible to Spanish-speaking metastatic breast cancer survivors and caregivers in the US. 75 participants from 22 workshops across the country between 2018 and 2020 completed program evaluation surveys in Spanish and provided self-reported data on factors including pre- and post-workshop knowledge and intentions for patient-provider communication. Descriptive analyses and pre-and post-workshop comparisons were conducted to assess workshop outcomes. Results: Most workshop participants were metastatic breast cancer patients/survivors (n=46); the remainder served in the caregiving capacity and included spouses/partners (n=19) and family members (n=10). The average age of participants was 61 years old (s.d.= 24.14 years). Among those with metastatic breast cancer, more than half (54%) received the diagnosis within the last two years; and only 29% reported being moderately to highly involved in their treatment decisions. 76% of respondents reported experiencing emotional distress due to their/their loved one’s cancer. Pre- and post-survey results show a significant gain in reported knowledge about metastatic breast cancer (χ²= 13.4, p <.05). Caregivers of Latina metastatic breast cancer survivors also demonstrated a significant gain from pre- to post-workshop in knowledge about metastatic breast cancer treatment options, confidence to participate in treatment decision-making with their health care team, and confidence in asking questions about side effects of metastatic breast cancer and its treatment. As a final point, 68% of cancer patients/survivors and 72% of caregivers reported that because of the workshops, they felt better prepared to emotionally cope with their metastatic breast cancer experience. Discussion: Our findings indicate that educational workshops in Spanish can play a role in enhancing Latina patients’ self-perceived knowledge about metastatic breast cancer and empowering patients and caregivers to become active participants in their treatment decisions. These results underscore the importance of providing culturally specific educational resources to support patients and caregivers in their interactions with their health care team and advance breast health equity among Latinas. Citation Format: Claire Saxton, Maria B. Gonzalo, Richa Ruwala, Kirstin Fearnley, Alyssa Jaisle. Impact of educational workshops on patient-provider communication among Spanish-speaking metastatic breast cancer survivors and their caregivers: Results from the frankly speaking about cancer: Cáncer de seno métastatico evidence-based educational workshops [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS9-43.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.