Design and process evaluation of an informative website tailored to breast cancer survivors’ and intimate partners’ post-treatment care needs

• Main Authors: Pauwels Evelyn, Van Hoof Elke, Charlier Caroline, Lechner Lilian, De Bourdeaudhuij Ilse
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-10-01
• Series: BMC Research Notes
• Subjects: Breast cancer; Partner; Design study; Process evaluation; Internet; Survivorship
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/5/548

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>On-line provision of information during the transition phase after treatment carries great promise in meeting shortcomings in post-treatment care for breast cancer survivors and their partners. The objectives of this study are to describe the development and process evaluation of a tailored informative website and to assess which characteristics of survivors and partners, participating in the feasibility study, are related to visiting the website.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The development process included quantitative and qualitative assessments of survivors’ and partners’ care needs and preferences. Participants’ use and evaluation of the website were explored by conducting baseline and post-measurements. During the intervening 10–12 weeks 57 survivors and 28 partners were granted access to the website.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fifty-seven percent (n=21) of survivors who took part in the post-measurement indicated that they had visited the website. Compared to non-visitors (n=16), they were more likely to have a partner and a higher income, reported higher levels of self-esteem and had completed treatment for a longer period of time. Partners who consulted the on-line information (42%, n=8) were younger and reported lower levels of social support compared to partners who did not visit the website (n=11). Visitors generally evaluated the content and lay-out positively, yet some believed the information was incomplete and impersonal.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The website reached only about half of survivors and partners, yet was mostly well-received<it>.</it> Besides other ways of providing information and support, a website containing clear-cut and tailored information could be a useful tool in post-treatment care provision.</p>