title: Developing a Peer-to-Peer mHealth Application to Connect Hispanic Cancer Patients.
abstract: Cancer and its treatment can significantly impact health-related quality of life (HRQOL) (J Pain Symptom Manag 9 (3):186-192, 1994; Soc Sci Med 46:1569-1584, 1998), particularly for Hispanics (Healthcare Financ Rev 29 (4):23-40, 2008; Psycho-Oncology 21 (2):115-124, 2012). Moreover, providers of cancer support for this population may encounter unique challenges. Grounded in social capital theory, this study identified Spanish-speaking, Hispanic breast cancer survivor support needs and preferences for a mHealth intervention. A user-centered, community-engaged research design was employed, consisting of focus groups made up of constituents from a local Hispanic-serving, cancer support organization. Focus group audio-recordings, translated into English, were coded using a grounded theory analytic approach. First, lead researchers read the complete transcripts to obtain a general sense of the discussion. Next, coding rules were established (e.g., code at the most granular level; double and triple code if necessary, code exhaustively) and initial codebook was created through open-coding. Three new coders were trained to establish requisite kappa statistic levels (≥.70) for inter-rater reliability. With training and discussion, kappa estimates reached .81-.88. Focus group (n = 31) results revealed a mHealth intervention targeting Hispanic cancer patients should not only offer information and support on disease/treatment effects but also respond to the individual's HRQOL, particularly emotional and social challenges. Specifically, participants expressed a strong desire for Spanish content and to connect with others who had gone through a similar experience. Overall, participants indicated they would have access to and would use such an intervention. Findings indicate positive support for a mHealth tool, which is culturally tailored to Spanish speakers, is available in Spanish, and connects cancer patients with survivors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics, Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 North St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625, USA. j-banas@neiu.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Banas
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Victorson
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cordero
authors.affiliation: ALAS-WINGS Latina Cancer Support Organization, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guitleman
authors.affiliation: Bright Outcome, Buffalo Grove, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Niina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Haas
mesh_terms: D000073116:Cancer Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063731:Mobile Applications / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010379:Peer Group; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D066269:Social Theory; D017216:Telemedicine
keywords: Cancer; Hispanic; Social capital theory; Social media; mHealth