Banking on Fatherhood: pilot studies of a computerized educational tool on sperm banking before cancer treatment.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted pilot studies of the feasibility and efficacy of an interactive, computerized educational tool, Banking on Fatherhood (BOF).


METHODS
Two small randomized trials were conducted, with 20 male cancer patients eligible to bank sperm in Study 1 and 19 oncology fellows or residents in Study 2. In each trial, half of the subjects viewed BOF before completing questionnaires, and half viewed it afterward. Outcome measures included a knowledge test in both trials and a Decisional Conflict scale in the patient trial. All participants, plus a panel of 10 experts, ultimately viewed BOF and completed a form evaluating its usability and value.


RESULTS
Patients who completed questionnaires after viewing BOF had significantly less decisional conflict about banking sperm than those who had not viewed it (P=0.0065), but knowledge scores were not significantly different between groups. Physicians who filled out questionnaires after viewing BOF scored significantly higher on the knowledge test (P<0.006). Patients, physicians and experts rated BOF as easy to use, informative and addressing important psychosocial concerns, with videos and animations adding to the value of the educational tool.


CONCLUSIONS
Pilot studies suggest that BOF is a feasible intervention that could enhance decisions about sperm banking. Research with larger groups is needed to validate its effectiveness.
Huyghe
Eric
E
Human Fertility Research Group (EA 3694), Urology and Andrology Department, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France.
Martinetti
Paul
P
Sui
Dawen
D
Schover
Leslie R
LR
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003657:Decision Making; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000523:psychology; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012984:Software; D013074:Sperm Banks; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult