A Web-based communication aid for patients with cancer

作者：Meropol Neal J^*; Egleston Brian L; Buzaglo Joanne S; Balshem Andrew; Benson Al B III; Cegala Donald J; Cohen Roger B; Collins Michael; Diefenbach Michael A; Miller Suzanne M; Fleisher Linda; Millard Jennifer L; Ross Eric A; Schulman Kevin A; Silver Allison; Slater Elyse; Solarino Nicholas; Sulmasy Daniel P; Trinastic Jonathan; Weinfurt Kevin P

来源：Cancer, 2013, 119(7): 1437-1445.

DOI：10.1002/cncr.27874

• cancer communication
• health communication
• physician-patient communication
• decision-making
• computer-assisted
• cancer

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients and their oncologists often report differing perceptions of consultation discussions and discordant expectations regarding treatment outcomes. CONNECT, a computer-based communication aid, was developed to improve communication between patients and oncologists. METHODS: CONNECT includes assessment of patient values, goals, and communication preferences; patient communication skills training; and a preconsultation physician summary report. CONNECT was tested in a 3-arm, prospective, randomized clinical trial. Prior to the initial medical oncology consultation, adult patients with advanced cancer were randomized to the following arms: 1) control; 2) CONNECT with physician summary; or 3) CONNECT without physician summary. Outcomes were assessed with postconsultation surveys. RESULTS: Of 743 patients randomized, 629 completed postconsultation surveys. Patients in the intervention arms (versus control) felt that the CONNECT program made treatment decisions easier to reach (P = .003) and helped them to be more satisfied with these decisions (P %26lt; .001). In addition, patients in the intervention arms reported higher levels of satisfaction with physician communication format (P = .026) and discussion regarding support services (P = .029) and quality of life concerns (P = .042). The physician summary did not impact outcomes. Patients with higher levels of education and poorer physical functioning experienced greater benefit from CONNECT. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective randomized clinical trial demonstrates that computer-based communication skills training can positively affect patient satisfaction with communication and decision-making. Measurable patient characteristics may be used to identify subgroups most likely to benefit from an intervention such as CONNECT. Cancer 2013.

• 出版日期2013-4-1
• 单位西北大学