title: Development and utilization of complementary communication channels for treatment decision making and survivorship issues among cancer patients: The CIS Research Consortium Experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cancer patients and survivors are assuming active roles in decision-making and digital patient support tools are widely used to facilitate patient engagement. As part of Cancer Information Service Research Consortium's randomized controlled trials focused on the efficacy of eHealth interventions to promote informed treatment decision-making for newly diagnosed prostate and breast cancer patients, and post-treatment breast cancer, we conducted a rigorous process evaluation to examine the actual use of and perceived benefits of two complementary communication channels -- print and eHealth interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The three Virtual Cancer Information Service (V-CIS) interventions were developed through a rigorous developmental process, guided by self-regulatory theory, informed decision-making frameworks, and health communications best practices. Control arm participants received NCI print materials; experimental arm participants received the additional V-CIS patient support tool. Actual usage data from the web-based V-CIS was also obtained and reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Print materials were highly used by all groups. About 60% of the experimental group reported using the V-CIS. Those who did use the V-CIS rated it highly on improvements in knowledge, patient-provider communication and decision-making.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings show that how patients actually use eHealth interventions either singularly or within the context of other communication channels is complex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Integrating rigorous best practices and theoretical foundations is essential and multiple communication approaches should be considered to support patient preferences.
authors: Associate Research Professor - Adjunct, Cancer Prevention and Control, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111 USA. Senior Scientist, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA, 3535 Market Street - Room 1177, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Fleisher
authors: Assistant Professor, Cancer Prevention and Control, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111 USA.
authors: Kuang Yi
authors: KY
authors: Wen
authors: Director - Psychosocial and Behavioral Medicine Program, Professor - Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111 USA.
authors: Suzanne M
authors: SM
authors: Miller
authors: Associate Professor of Urology and Oncological Sciences, Director of Behavioral Research, Department of Urology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Diefenbach
authors: Professor, Departments of Psychology & Psychiatry/Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, Member, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, 300 Medical Plaza Driveway, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA.
authors: Annette L
authors: AL
authors: Stanton
authors: Professor of Public Health Sciences, UVA School of Medicine, Blake Center · 1224 W. Main St., Suite 400B, P.O. Box 80082, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0821 USA.
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Ropka
authors: President, Morra Communications, 1 Platt Street, Milford, CT 06460 USA.
authors: Marion
authors: M
authors: Morra
authors: Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Denver Health and Hospitals, Professor of Medicine, Adjunct Professor of Psychology, University of Colorado Denver, 777 Bannock Street, MC1925, Denver, CO 80204 USA.
authors: Peter C
authors: PC
authors: Raich
keywords: EHealth interventions; cancer patients; decision making; intervention development; preferences; utilization