Allan Ben Smith1,2, Adeola Bamgboje-Ayodele1, Phyllis Butow2, Britt Klein3, Jane Turner4, Louise Sharpe2,5, Joanna Fardell6, Lisa Beatty7, Alison Pearce8,9, Belinda Thewes2, Jane Beith10, Afaf Girgis1. 1. Centre for Oncology Education & Research Translation (CONCERT), Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2. Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 3. Biopsychosocial and eHealth Research & Innovation (BeRI) and the DVC-R&I Portfolio, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Australia. 4. Department of Psychiatry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. 5. School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 6. School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia. 7. School of Psychology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 8. Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 9. School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 10. Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate the usability of iConquerFear, an online self-management adaptation of an efficacious face-to-face therapist-delivered treatment for fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). METHODS: iConquerFear development was theory based and person based. Development was guided by Ritterband et al's behaviour change model for internet interventions. iConquerFear end users (cancer survivors) provided iterative feedback in accordance with Yardley et al's person-based approach to maximise engagement and usability. Online focus groups and cognitive interviews were conducted to evaluate the usability of iConquerFear. Discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. RESULTS: Five online FCR modules were developed. Twenty-three cancer survivors (47% of those eligible) participated; 11/23 (58%) were breast cancer survivors, and average age was 53 years (SD = 10.8). Thematic saturation was reached after six focus groups (n = 16) and seven individual think-aloud interviews. Thematic analysis produced five overarching themes: easy navigation essential; satisfaction and engagement with content; flexible access is key; normalising and empowering; and a useful first step. CONCLUSIONS: Online self-management interventions like iConquerFear have the potential to address the unmet supportive care needs reported by burgeoning numbers of cancer survivors. However, that potential may not be realised unless interventions are rigorously developed and user tested, as benefits are constrained by limited engagement. Themes from the usability testing of iConquerFear highlight the importance of developing flexible, tailored, interactive, and contextual online self-management interventions for people with cancer.
OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate the usability of iConquerFear, an online self-management adaptation of an efficacious face-to-face therapist-delivered treatment for fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). METHODS: iConquerFear development was theory based and person based. Development was guided by Ritterband et al's behaviour change model for internet interventions. iConquerFear end users (cancer survivors) provided iterative feedback in accordance with Yardley et al's person-based approach to maximise engagement and usability. Online focus groups and cognitive interviews were conducted to evaluate the usability of iConquerFear. Discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. RESULTS: Five online FCR modules were developed. Twenty-three cancer survivors (47% of those eligible) participated; 11/23 (58%) were breast cancer survivors, and average age was 53 years (SD = 10.8). Thematic saturation was reached after six focus groups (n = 16) and seven individual think-aloud interviews. Thematic analysis produced five overarching themes: easy navigation essential; satisfaction and engagement with content; flexible access is key; normalising and empowering; and a useful first step. CONCLUSIONS: Online self-management interventions like iConquerFear have the potential to address the unmet supportive care needs reported by burgeoning numbers of cancer survivors. However, that potential may not be realised unless interventions are rigorously developed and user tested, as benefits are constrained by limited engagement. Themes from the usability testing of iConquerFear highlight the importance of developing flexible, tailored, interactive, and contextual online self-management interventions for people with cancer.
Authors: Ann M Mazzella Ebstein; Margaret Barton-Burke; Venice Anthony; Andrea Smith; Zhigang Zhang; Mark Robson Journal: J Adv Nurs Date: 2020-11-27 Impact factor: 3.187
Authors: Fiona A Lynch; Lynda Katona; Michael Jefford; Allan Ben Smith; Joanne Shaw; Haryana M Dhillon; Steve Ellen; Jo Phipps-Nelson; Julia Lai-Kwon; Donna Milne; Lahiru Russell; Victoria Dax; Justine Diggens; Holly Kent; Alison Button-Sloan; Jane Elliott; Mark Shackleton; Hayley Burridge; Maria Ftanou Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2020-09-14 Impact factor: 4.241
Authors: Joanne Shaw; Helen Kamphuis; Louise Sharpe; Sophie Lebel; Allan Ben Smith; Nicholas Hulbert-Williams; Haryana Mary Dhillon; Phyllis Butow Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2021-02-22