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Banking on Fatherhood: pilot studies of a computerized educational tool on sperm banking before cancer treatment
Author(s) -
Huyghe Eric,
Martinetti Paul,
Sui Dawen,
Schover Leslie R.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1506
Subject(s) - sperm bank , sperm , oncology , business , medicine , medical physics , gynecology , andrology , fertility , environmental health , population
Objectives : We conducted pilot studies of the feasibility and efficacy of an interactive, computerized educational tool, Banking on Fatherhood (BOF). Methods : Two small randomized trials were conducted, with 20 male cancer patients eligible to bank sperm in Study 1 and 19 oncology fellows or residents in Study 2. In each trial, half of the subjects viewed BOF before completing questionnaires, and half viewed it afterward. Outcome measures included a knowledge test in both trials and a Decisional Conflict scale in the patient trial. All participants, plus a panel of 10 experts, ultimately viewed BOF and completed a form evaluating its usability and value. Results : Patients who completed questionnaires after viewing BOF had significantly less decisional conflict about banking sperm than those who had not viewed it ( P =0.0065), but knowledge scores were not significantly different between groups. Physicians who filled out questionnaires after viewing BOF scored significantly higher on the knowledge test ( P <0.006). Patients, physicians and experts rated BOF as easy to use, informative and addressing important psychosocial concerns, with videos and animations adding to the value of the educational tool. Conclusion : Pilot studies suggest that BOF is a feasible intervention that could enhance decisions about sperm banking. Research with larger groups is needed to validate its effectiveness. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.