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Mullis MD, Fisher CL, Johnson SB, Liu T, Amin TB, Rogers S, DeGruccio K, Bylund CL. Clinician-patient communication about cancer treatment misinformation: The Misinformation Response Model. PEC INNOVATION 2024; 5:100319. [PMID: 39101055 PMCID: PMC11296260 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Objective Cancer treatment misinformation (CTM) is pervasive and impacts patient health outcomes. Cancer clinicians play an essential role in addressing CTM. We previously identified four self-reported responses that characterize the communication process clinicians engage in to address CTM. Clinicians 1) work to understand the misinformation; 2) correct the misinformation through education; 3) advise about future online searches; and 4) preserve the clinician-patient relationship. We sought to confirm and expand on the model we developed by observing cancer clinicians' communication while addressing CTM with a standardized patient (SP). Methods 17 cancer clinicians were audio recorded in a SP encounter, in which a breast cancer SP asked three questions based on CTM. We thematically analyzed transcriptions of the recordings. Results Clinicians used four responses with associated strategies and skills to address CTM in a standardized clinical encounter, confirming the previously developed model. The four responses were: (1) work to understand the misinformation; (2) correct the misinformation through education; (3) advise about future online searches; and (4) preserve the clinician-patient relationship. This observational approach allowed us to refine strategies within each response and identify communication skills clinicians enact to address CTM. Conclusion These findings provide a strong foundation for the Misinformation Response Model for cancer clinicians. Future research should examine which components of the model are most effective in improving patient outcomes. Innovation This is the first study observing clinicians' communication through simulated practice with SPs about CTM.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Devyn Mullis
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Carla L. Fisher
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Skyler B. Johnson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 30 N 19000 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, United States of America
| | - Tianshi Liu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Tithi B. Amin
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Sherise Rogers
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Kennan DeGruccio
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Carma L. Bylund
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
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Fakih O, Verhoeven F, Prati C, Wendling D. Interest in various treatments for osteoarthritis among the French population: A Google Trends analysis. Joint Bone Spine 2024; 91:105762. [PMID: 39029555 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2024.105762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Fakih
- Service de rhumatologie, CHU de Besançon, 3, boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besançon cedex, France.
| | - Frank Verhoeven
- Service de rhumatologie, CHU de Besançon, 3, boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besançon cedex, France; EA 4267 "PEPITE", UFR Santé, Franche-Comté University, 19, rue Ambroise-Paré, bâtiment S, 25030 Besançon cedex, France
| | - Clément Prati
- Service de rhumatologie, CHU de Besançon, 3, boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besançon cedex, France; EA 4267 "PEPITE", UFR Santé, Franche-Comté University, 19, rue Ambroise-Paré, bâtiment S, 25030 Besançon cedex, France
| | - Daniel Wendling
- Service de rhumatologie, CHU de Besançon, 3, boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besançon cedex, France; EA 4266 "EPILAB", UFR Santé, Franche-Comté University, 19, rue Ambroise-Paré, bâtiment S, 25030 Besançon cedex, France
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3
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Wollney EN, Bylund CL, Kastrinos AL, Campbell-Salome G, Sae-Hau M, Weiss ES, Fisher CL. Understanding parents uncertainty sources and management strategies while caring for a child diagnosed with a hematologic cancer. PEC INNOVATION 2023; 3:100198. [PMID: 37662692 PMCID: PMC10468798 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Rationale Parents of a child or adolescent (CA) or young adult (YA) diagnosed with a hematologic cancer often face uncertainty. Managing uncertainty is critical to reduce the psychosocial burden of illness-related stressors. Objective This study sought to identify: 1) sources of uncertainty among parents of a child diagnosed with a hematologic cancer, 2) strategies used by parents to manage uncertainty, and 3) clinicians' responses to parents' online information-seeking approach to managing uncertainty. Methods Parents of CAs/YAs diagnosed with a hematologic cancer within the past 1-18 months and living in the U.S. participated in an in-depth, semi-structured phone interview (n = 20). Data were analyzed thematically. Results Parents reported uncertainty about treatment (options, efficacy, and side effects or risks) and uncertainty about the future (recurrence, whether worry would subside, and how to approach the child's future). Parents managed uncertainty by seeking information online, talking to clinicians, and joining support groups. Clinicians' responses to online information-seeking were described as supportive and unsupportive. Conclusion Parents described struggling with uncertainty across the cancer continuum (from primary treatment to survivorship). Parents' psychosocial health may benefit from individual and systems level interventions that help address and manage uncertainty, especially interventions focusing on parent caregiver-clinician communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Easton N. Wollney
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Carma L. Bylund
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
- Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program (CCPS), University of Florida Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Amanda L. Kastrinos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Gemme Campbell-Salome
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Department of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger, Danville, PA, United States of America
| | - Maria Sae-Hau
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Rye Brook, NY, United States of America
| | - Elisa S. Weiss
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Rye Brook, NY, United States of America
| | - Carla L. Fisher
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
- Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program (CCPS), University of Florida Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
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Bechthold AC, Azuero A, Puga F, Ejem DB, Kent EE, Ornstein KA, Ladores SL, Wilson CM, Knoepke CE, Miller-Sonet E, Odom JN. What Is Most Important to Family Caregivers When Helping Patients Make Treatment-Related Decisions: Findings from a National Survey. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4792. [PMID: 37835486 PMCID: PMC10572058 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Prioritizing patient values-who/what matters most-is central to palliative care and critical to treatment decision making. Yet which factors are most important to family caregivers in these decisions remains understudied. Using data from a U.S. national survey of cancer caregivers (N = 1661), we examined differences in factors considered very important by caregivers when partnering with patients in cancer treatment decision making by cancer stage and caregiver sociodemographics. Fifteen factors were rated on a 4-point Likert-scale from 'very unimportant' to 'very important.' Descriptive statistics were used to characterize caregiver factors and tabulate proportions of importance for each. Generalized linear mixed effect modeling was used to examine the importance of factors by cancer stage, and chi-square analyses were performed to determine associations between caregiver sociodemographics and the five most commonly endorsed factors: quality of life (69%), physical well-being (68%), length of life (66%), emotional well-being (63%), and opinions/feelings of oncology team (59%). Significant associations (all p's < 0.05) of small magnitude were found between the most endorsed factors and caregiver age, race, gender, and ethnicity, most especially 'opinions/feelings of the oncology team'. Future work is needed to determine the best timing and approach for eliciting and effectively incorporating caregiver values and preferences into shared treatment decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avery C. Bechthold
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (A.C.B.)
| | - Andres Azuero
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (A.C.B.)
| | - Frank Puga
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (A.C.B.)
| | - Deborah B. Ejem
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (A.C.B.)
| | - Erin E. Kent
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Katherine A. Ornstein
- Center for Equity in Aging, School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sigrid L. Ladores
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (A.C.B.)
| | - Christina M. Wilson
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (A.C.B.)
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Christopher E. Knoepke
- Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Adult and Child Consortium for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | | | - J. Nicholas Odom
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (A.C.B.)
- Center for Palliative and Supportive Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
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Johnson SB, Bylund CL. Identifying Cancer Treatment Misinformation and Strategies to Mitigate Its Effects With Improved Radiation Oncologist-Patient Communication. Pract Radiat Oncol 2023:S1879-8500(23)00033-4. [PMID: 36736620 DOI: 10.1016/j.prro.2023.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Accurate information about cancer treatment is critical for individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Unfortunately, the rise of the Internet and social media combined with patients' desire for autonomy as well as the increased availability and marketing of unproven or disproven therapies has made it easy for misinformation about cancer to spread. This can have grave consequences for patients, as individuals who rely on misinformation may make decisions that put their health at risk, including choosing to forego effective treatment in favor of unproven or disproven therapies. To address these serious issues, it is important to understand what constitutes cancer treatment misinformation and the available mitigation strategies. This knowledge can inform efforts to counteract the spread of cancer treatment misinformation and promote accurate information about cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skyler B Johnson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah; Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah.
| | - Carma L Bylund
- Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida
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Steeb T, Brütting J, Reinhardt L, Hoffmann J, Weiler N, Heppt MV, Erdmann M, Doppler A, Weber C, Schadendorf D, Meier F, Berking C. One Website to Gather them All: Usability Testing of the New German SKin Cancer INFOrmation (SKINFO) Website-A Mixed-methods Approach. JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2022:10.1007/s13187-022-02258-5. [PMID: 36585570 PMCID: PMC10366310 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-022-02258-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Skin cancer patients increasingly search the internet to acquire disease-related information. However, information on the internet may be misleading. Recently, SKINFO has been launched, a website exclusively created for German-speaking skin cancer patients providing information as well as additional resources of verified quality. Here, we describe the results of the first usability test of SKINFO using a mixed-methods approach. Ten adult patients with skin cancer were recruited for usability testing in the skin cancer units of the University Hospitals of Erlangen and Dresden, Germany. Testing consisted of three different scenarios where patients were asked to find specific information on the SKINFO website guided by the think-aloud method. Descriptive analysis and content analyses were performed. All patients would recommend SKINFO and appreciated its content, design, and structure. Think-aloud analysis identified the topics layout, navigation, and content and structure which would benefit from refinement. Major criticism included the navigation through the website, and the desire for more specific information addressing patients' relatives and the latest, up-to-date information. Overall, usability testing showed that the unique web-based information platform has the potential to support patients coping with skin cancer and thus strengthen informed decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Steeb
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen - European Metropolitan Region of Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Julia Brütting
- Skin Cancer Center at the University Cancer Centre Dresden and National Center for Tumor Diseases, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lydia Reinhardt
- Skin Cancer Center at the University Cancer Centre Dresden and National Center for Tumor Diseases, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Julia Hoffmann
- Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nina Weiler
- Eurice - European Research and Project Office GmbH, Ingbert, Germany
| | - Markus V Heppt
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen - European Metropolitan Region of Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Erdmann
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen - European Metropolitan Region of Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | | | - Dirk Schadendorf
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Friedegund Meier
- Skin Cancer Center at the University Cancer Centre Dresden and National Center for Tumor Diseases, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carola Berking
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen - European Metropolitan Region of Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
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Patell R, Miller E, Einstein D, Dodge LE, Halleck J, Buss MK. Does Use of Information Sources Outside the Treating Oncologist Influence Patient Decision-Making in Patients Receiving Non-Curative Intent Therapy for Advanced Cancer. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2022:10499091221134531. [PMID: 36252248 DOI: 10.1177/10499091221134531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients' decision-making and perceptions of outcomes may be impacted by information sources. We investigated use of information by patients and tested the association with patients' perception of treatment outcomes. METHODS We prospectively surveyed patients with advanced solid cancers and their oncologists regarding benefits/risks of non-curative cancer therapies. We previously reported misperception comparing patients' perceptions of treatment outcomes to those of their oncologist. We report external information use as proportions with binomial confidence intervals (CI) and examined correlations with misperception levels using Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS Of 125 participants, 70% (95% CI: 61-78) stated that they wanted as much information as possible from their oncologist, and nearly all (95%, 95% CI: 90-98) felt the amount of information provided by their clinician was "just right." Over half (60%, 95% CI: 51-69) wanted at least "a moderate amount" of information from sources outside their oncologist, and 58% (95% CI: 49-67) reported obtaining information from sources outside their oncologist. Over two-thirds (69%, 95% CI: 57-79) of participants felt the information from external sources influenced their decisions "a small amount" or less. There was no correlation between information use and misperception regarding tumor response (r: -.04; P = .60) or treatment toxicity (r: .05; P = .60). CONCLUSION Many patients sought information from sources outside their oncologist; few felt it substantially influenced treatment choices. External information use was not associated with greater misperception of treatment outcomes. These data suggest sources of information outside the treating oncologists did not substantially influence patient's decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rushad Patell
- Divisions of Medical Oncology and Hematology, 1859Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric Miller
- Department of Medicine, 1859Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Einstein
- Divisions of Medical Oncology and Hematology, 1859Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura E Dodge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1859Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Halleck
- Divisions of Medical Oncology and Hematology, 1859Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mary K Buss
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, 1867Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Oechsle K, Theißen T, Heckel M, Schwenzitzki L, Ullrich A, Ostgathe C. [Support for and involvement of family caregivers in Comprehensive Cancer Center - an Assessment of the Palliative Care Working Group within the network of Comprehensive Cancer Center funded by the German Cancer Aid]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2021; 146:e74-e80. [PMID: 34416786 PMCID: PMC8439962 DOI: 10.1055/a-1543-2511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to current oncological guidelines, early integration of specialist palliative care (SPC) represents standard cancer care supporting not only the patients, but also their family caregivers. Data on the actual implementation in daily oncology practice in Germany are lacking. METHODS The Palliative Care Working Group of the network of Comprehensive Cancer Centers certified by the German Cancer Aid (CCC) assessed the implementation of measures for family caregiver support and involvement within the CCC/within SPC in the CCC/local outside the CCC in all 17 CCC locations. RESULTS In the CCC/in SPC psycho-oncological (100 %/94 %), social (94 %/100 %) and spiritual counselling of family caregivers (94 % each) as well as support for children with parental cancer (88 %/100 %) and information materials for family caregivers (88 % each) are well established. Training on nursing skills (77 %/94 %) and family conferences (59 %/88 %) are established more frequently within SPC than in the rest of the CCC. SOPs are rather rare (23 %/18 %) as well as screenings for family caregiver needs (0/24 %). Bereavement or self-help groups are with 82 % each more frequent locally outside the CCC. Psycho-oncological and social counselling as well as support for children with parental cancer were scored as most important (94 % each). For SPC, training on nursing skills and information materials were rated equally (94 % each). SOPs were rated as very/extremely important in 47 %/41 % and routine screening for family caregiver in 53 %/65 %. CONCLUSION In correspondence to their importance, psychosocial and spiritual counselling and support for children with parental cancer are well implemented in CCC. In SPC, training on nursing skills and family conferences are also well implemented. SOPs for family caregiver support and involvement as well as routine screenings for family caregiver needs have to be implemented urgently in the CCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Oechsle
- Palliativmedizin, 2. Medizinische Klinik, Universitäres Cancer Center Hamburg, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Tabea Theißen
- Palliativmedizin, 2. Medizinische Klinik, Universitäres Cancer Center Hamburg, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Maria Heckel
- Palliativmedizinische Abteilung, Comprehensive Cancer Center CCC Erlangen-EMN, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
| | - Lisa Schwenzitzki
- Palliativmedizin, 2. Medizinische Klinik, Universitäres Cancer Center Hamburg, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Anneke Ullrich
- Palliativmedizin, 2. Medizinische Klinik, Universitäres Cancer Center Hamburg, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Christoph Ostgathe
- Palliativmedizinische Abteilung, Comprehensive Cancer Center CCC Erlangen-EMN, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
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Wrigley Kelly NE, Murray KE, McCarthy C, O'Shea DB. An objective analysis of quality and readability of online information on COVID-19. HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY 2021; 11:1093-1099. [PMID: 34189011 PMCID: PMC8222704 DOI: 10.1007/s12553-021-00574-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
High quality, readable health information is vital to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the quality and readability of online COVID-19 information using 6 validated tools. This is a cross-sectional study. "COVID-19" was searched across the three most popular English language search engines. Quality was evaluated using the DISCERN score, Journal of the American Medical Association benchmark criteria and Health On the Net Foundation Code of Conduct. Readability was assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Gunning-Fog Index. 41 websites were suitable for analysis. 9.8% fulfilled all JAMA criteria. Only one website was HONCode certified. Mean DISCERN score was 47.8/80 ("fair"). This was highest in websites published by a professional society/medical journal/healthcare provider. Readability varied from an 8th to 12th grade level. The overall quality of online COVID-19 information was "fair". Much of this information was above the recommended 5th to 6th grade level, impeding access for many.
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Affiliation(s)
- N E Wrigley Kelly
- St. Vincent's University Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - K E Murray
- St. Vincent's University Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C McCarthy
- St. Vincent's University Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - D B O'Shea
- St. Vincent's University Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Lively A, Minard LV, Scott S, Deal H, Lambourne T, Giffin J. Exploring the perspectives of healthcare professionals in delivering optimal oncology medication education. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228571. [PMID: 32049970 PMCID: PMC7015363 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To optimize patient education, it is important to understand what healthcare professionals perceive to be ideal oncology medication education for patients to receive, and what they feel is their role and the role of others in its delivery. Education provided to patients is an important component of chemotherapy as it has been shown to benefit and positively impact patients who receive it. Educational interventions are often provided by multidisciplinary teams with the goal of improving patient care. However, few studies have explored the roles of healthcare professionals in delivering oncology medication education. Objective To explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals working in medical, gynaecological or hematological oncology to identify what they perceive to be optimal oncology medication education for patients. Methods Healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses and pharmacists) working in medical, gynaecological or hematological oncology at the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Central Zone were invited to participate in one-on-one, semi-structured interviews which were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings Fifteen interviews, including five physicians, four nurses and six pharmacists were conducted from February to April 2018. Four major themes were identified: Delivery of oncology medication education, Facilitating the patient learning process, Multidisciplinary Approach and Understanding barriers to the healthcare professional in providing education. Conclusion The identified themes uncovered novel ideas about how healthcare professionals felt oncology medication education could ideally be delivered to patients, and supported findings in the literature. Although participants discussed barriers to their ability to deliver optimal education, they also identified ways in which they can facilitate patient learning, for example, through the reinforcement of education. Participants recognized the importance of increasing collaboration and communication with the multidisciplinary team. This research will inform the design of any new models for oncology medication education at the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Central Zone and potentially other sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Lively
- Department of Pharmacy, Nova Scotia Health Authority (Central Zone), QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Laura V. Minard
- Department of Pharmacy, Nova Scotia Health Authority (Central Zone), QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Samantha Scott
- Department of Pharmacy, Nova Scotia Health Authority (Central Zone), QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Heidi Deal
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Tessa Lambourne
- Department of Pharmacy, Nova Scotia Health Authority (Northern Zone), Aberdeen Regional Hospital, New Glasgow, NS, Canada
| | - Jenn Giffin
- Nova Scotia Health Authority (Central Zone), QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
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