Joe Jabbour1, Haryana M Dhillon2,3, Heather L Shepherd2,3, Puma Sundaresan4,5, Chris Milross6,7, Jonathan R Clark1,8,9. 1. Central Clinical School, 4334University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2. Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group (POCOG), School of Psychology, 4334The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 3. Centre for Medical Psychology & Evidence-Based Decision-making, 4334The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 4. Department of Radiation Oncology and Medical Services,10138Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 5. 200123Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia. 6. Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group (POCOG), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 7. Department of Radiation Oncology and Medical Services, 10138Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 8. Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, 10138Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 9. South West Clinical School, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
Background: With increasing accessibility of the World Wide Web, patients are using it to obtain patient education materials (PEM). With this in mind, our group (surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, nursing, allied health professionals and academic researchers) developed a comprehensive information resource for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC), the Head and Neck Cancer Australia, formerly Beyond Five website. The aim of this study was to determine patient usability of the Head and Neck Cancer Australia website. Methods: Usability testing (Cognitive walkthrough & Think-Aloud) in 18 patients treated for HNC was undertaken at a Cancer centre (anonymous for reviewers). Results: The tasks rated easiest by patients were finding information on psychological well-being (mean time spent: 66 s, range: 10-565), health and well-being effecting quality of life (mean time spent: 36 s, range 9-117) and carer information (mean time spent: 10 s, range 3-35). Patients indicated the website contained a lot of information, covers most topics, was a trusted source of information and a springboard to other information. Conclusions: The Head and Neck Cancer Australia website provides a wide range of information and support in multiple formats available to HNC patients. Further refinements in design, navigation and website instructions are needed to allow effective patient interaction.
Background: With increasing accessibility of the World Wide Web, patients are using it to obtain patient education materials (PEM). With this in mind, our group (surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, nursing, allied health professionals and academic researchers) developed a comprehensive information resource for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC), the Head and Neck Cancer Australia, formerly Beyond Five website. The aim of this study was to determine patient usability of the Head and Neck Cancer Australia website. Methods: Usability testing (Cognitive walkthrough & Think-Aloud) in 18 patients treated for HNC was undertaken at a Cancer centre (anonymous for reviewers). Results: The tasks rated easiest by patients were finding information on psychological well-being (mean time spent: 66 s, range: 10-565), health and well-being effecting quality of life (mean time spent: 36 s, range 9-117) and carer information (mean time spent: 10 s, range 3-35). Patients indicated the website contained a lot of information, covers most topics, was a trusted source of information and a springboard to other information. Conclusions: The Head and Neck Cancer Australia website provides a wide range of information and support in multiple formats available to HNC patients. Further refinements in design, navigation and website instructions are needed to allow effective patient interaction.
Entities:
Keywords:
head and neck cancer; health information on the Web; patient education; resources and support; think aloud; usability
Authors: Heather L Keenan; Simon L Duke; Heather J Wharrad; Gillian A Doody; Rakesh S Patel Journal: Tech Innov Patient Support Radiat Oncol Date: 2022-09-17