title: A Web-based communication aid for patients with cancer: the CONNECT Study.
abstract: 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 < .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.
authors: University Hospitals Case Medical Center Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. Neal.Meropol@case.edu
authors: Neal J
authors: NJ
authors: Meropol
authors: Brian L
authors: BL
authors: Egleston
authors: Joanne S
authors: JS
authors: Buzaglo
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Balshem
authors: Al B
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authors: Benson
authors: Donald J
authors: DJ
authors: Cegala
authors: Roger B
authors: RB
authors: Cohen
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authors: Collins
authors: Michael A
authors: MA
authors: Diefenbach
authors: Suzanne M
authors: SM
authors: Miller
authors: Linda
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authors: Fleisher
authors: Jennifer L
authors: JL
authors: Millard
authors: Eric A
authors: EA
authors: Ross
authors: Kevin A
authors: KA
authors: Schulman
authors: Allison
authors: A
authors: Silver
authors: Elyse
authors: E
authors: Slater
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Solarino
authors: Daniel P
authors: DP
authors: Sulmasy
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Trinastic
authors: Kevin P
authors: KP
authors: Weinfurt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation