Completing a life: comfort level and ease of use of a CD-ROM among seriously ill patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate use of a CD-ROM titled Completing a Life among patients diagnosed with serious illnesses for comfort level with content and ease of computer use.


METHODS
A prospective pilot study collected a convenience sample of 50 people diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses during a six-month period.


METHODS
The hematology/oncology department of a large healthcare system located in a metropolitan area in the midwestern United States.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 50 patients diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses. Of the patients enrolled (age range = 38-93 years), 72% were female, 68% were Caucasian, 50% were diagnosed with breast cancer or nonsolid tumors, and 40% were newly diagnosed.


METHODS
Subjects viewed the CD-ROM and completed pre- and post-intervention surveys.


METHODS
Comfort level with educational media, comfort level of information viewed, and areas of CD-ROM viewed compared to age and stage of illness.


RESULTS
Ninety percent of patients reported that they were somewhat or very comfortable with the CD-ROM as a learning tool, and ease of use was rated at 98%. Patients' comfort level with the material increased from 76% to 90% after they viewed the CD-ROM.


CONCLUSIONS
The pilot study suggests that the Completing a Life CD-ROM can be used with patients facing serious or life-limiting illnesses as an additional resource tool for information.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses typically provide the bulk of educational material for their patients. With limited resources available regarding management of life-limiting illnesses, this resource may provide an excellent addition to resources currently available.
Lambing
Angela
A
Hemophilia and Thrombosis Research Center, Henry Ford Health System, Detriot, MI, USA. alambin1@hfhs.org
Markey
Carolyn Anne
CA
Neslund-Dudas
Christine M
CM
Bricker
Leslie J
LJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016251:CD-ROM; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013727:Terminal Care; D014584:User-Computer Interface