TY - JOUR
T1 - Developing a useful, user-friendly website for cancer patient follow-up
T2 - users' perspectives on ease of access and usefulness
AU - Bartlett, Y K
AU - Selby, D L
AU - Newsham, A
AU - Keding, A
AU - Forman, D
AU - Brown, J
AU - Velikova, G
AU - Wright, P
N1 - © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
PY - 2012/11
Y1 - 2012/11
N2 - UK cancer survival has improved, leading to an increase in review patients and pressure on clinics. Use of the Internet for information exchange between patients and healthcare staff may provide a useful adjunct or alternative to traditional follow-up. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a website for use in follow-up cancer care in terms of usability, feasibility and acceptability. A website was developed and underwent iterative amendment following patient usability testing in focus groups. Patients on follow-up completed a Computer and Internet Usage Questionnaire. Internet users consented to a randomised crossover study to complete paper and online questionnaires, browse the website and participate in a website evaluation interview. Patient website use was tracked. Usability: Website changes were made following patient testing (n= 21). Patients would have liked a 'personalized' website with links to their clinical team, out with the scope of this study. Feasibility: The majority of participants (65%) had Internet access. Age remained a differentiating factor. Acceptability: Final evaluation (n= 103) was positive although many would like to maintain face-to-face hospital contact. User involvement in website design can ensure patient needs are met. A website model for follow-up will suit some patients but others will prefer clinical contact.
AB - UK cancer survival has improved, leading to an increase in review patients and pressure on clinics. Use of the Internet for information exchange between patients and healthcare staff may provide a useful adjunct or alternative to traditional follow-up. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a website for use in follow-up cancer care in terms of usability, feasibility and acceptability. A website was developed and underwent iterative amendment following patient usability testing in focus groups. Patients on follow-up completed a Computer and Internet Usage Questionnaire. Internet users consented to a randomised crossover study to complete paper and online questionnaires, browse the website and participate in a website evaluation interview. Patient website use was tracked. Usability: Website changes were made following patient testing (n= 21). Patients would have liked a 'personalized' website with links to their clinical team, out with the scope of this study. Feasibility: The majority of participants (65%) had Internet access. Age remained a differentiating factor. Acceptability: Final evaluation (n= 103) was positive although many would like to maintain face-to-face hospital contact. User involvement in website design can ensure patient needs are met. A website model for follow-up will suit some patients but others will prefer clinical contact.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84867907020&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2012.01357.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2012.01357.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 22533456
SN - 0961-5423
VL - 21
SP - 747
EP - 757
JO - European Journal of Cancer Care
JF - European Journal of Cancer Care
IS - 6
ER -