title: Developing a useful, user-friendly website for cancer patient follow-up: users' perspectives on ease of access and usefulness.
abstract: UK cancer survival has improved, leading to an increase in review patients and pressure on clinics. Use of the Internet for information exchange between patients and healthcare staff may provide a useful adjunct or alternative to traditional follow-up. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a website for use in follow-up cancer care in terms of usability, feasibility and acceptability. A website was developed and underwent iterative amendment following patient usability testing in focus groups. Patients on follow-up completed a Computer and Internet Usage Questionnaire. Internet users consented to a randomised crossover study to complete paper and online questionnaires, browse the website and participate in a website evaluation interview. Patient website use was tracked. Usability: Website changes were made following patient testing (n= 21). Patients would have liked a 'personalized' website with links to their clinical team, out with the scope of this study. Feasibility: The majority of participants (65%) had Internet access. Age remained a differentiating factor. Acceptability: Final evaluation (n= 103) was positive although many would like to maintain face-to-face hospital contact. User involvement in website design can ensure patient needs are met. A website model for follow-up will suit some patients but others will prefer clinical contact.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Y K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Bartlett
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Selby
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Newsham
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keding
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Forman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Velikova
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014584:User-Computer Interface