title: Meeting the information needs of lower income cancer survivors: results of a randomized control trial evaluating the american cancer society's "I can cope".
abstract: The American Cancer Society is a leader in the development of cancer survivorship resources. One resource of the American Cancer Society is the I Can Cope program, an educational program for cancer survivors and their families. Evaluations of this program indicate that cancer patients highly rate its objectives. Yet, there are gaps in the understanding of the full impact of the program on diverse cancer survivors. In this study, the authors used a randomized trial to evaluate the program. Participants included 140 low-income survivors (79% Black; 38% breast cancer) from community hospitals who were randomized to 4 sessions of I Can Cope (learning about cancer; understanding cancer treatments; relieving cancer pain; and keeping well in mind and body) or 4 sessions of a wellness intervention (humor, meditation, relaxation, and music therapy). The authors' primary outcome was "met information needs." After controlling for covariates, their analysis indicated that I Can Cope was no more effective than the wellness intervention in addressing survivor information needs relative to the learning objectives. Participants provided high overall ratings for both interventions. Self-efficacy for obtaining advice about cancer, age, education, and income were associated with information needs. Educational programs tailored to levels of self-efficacy and patient demographics may be needed.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine , University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham , Alabama , USA.
authors.forename: Michelle Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Mary B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Polly
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kratt
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pollack
authors.forename: Judith Lee
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oster
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dignan
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Prayor-Patterson
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Houston
authors.forename: Shiquina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Amandiy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liwo
authors.forename: Tung Sung
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Sandral
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hullett
authors.forename: Joann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pisu
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000570:American Cancer Society; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011203:Poverty; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States