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A user centered design approach to development of an online self‐management program for cancer survivors: Springboard Beyond Cancer
Author(s) -
Leach Corinne R.,
Diefenbach Michael A.,
Fleszar Sara,
Alfano Catherine M.,
Stephens Robert L.,
Riehman Kara,
Hudson Shawna V.
Publication year - 2019
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.5193
Subject(s) - usability , thematic analysis , stakeholder , ehealth , self management , cancer , psychology , medicine , medical education , computer science , qualitative research , health care , human–computer interaction , public relations , social science , machine learning , sociology , political science , economics , economic growth
Objective The American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute launched and evaluated a personalized online program leveraging behavioral science principles to help people self‐manage physical and emotional symptoms, improve communication skills, and lead healthier lives during and after a cancer diagnosis. Methods Cancer survivors were recruited from an academic medical and a community clinical setting (N = 40) to complete in‐person user testing of the Springboard Beyond Cancer website, which included action decks and content to promote self‐management. Action decks were printable or savable collections of information and action steps related to a cancer topic or treatment side effect. Participants performed structured tasks to evaluate the program's content and usability. Comments and reactions were recorded, and qualitative thematic analyses were conducted. Results Most participants successfully found information about fatigue (95%), pain (83%), sexual side effects (90%), and support groups (85%). Survivors, particularly those in treatment, found information on the site to be clear, concise, and meeting their needs. Use of action decks to create self‐management plans was inconsistent. Survivors reported needing more instruction and support within the program on how to best utilize enhanced functionality in action decks to prioritize their most pressing concerns. Conclusions Early stakeholder engagement throughout the multiple phases of prototyping and deployment are needed to fully maximize end user engagement. Providing actionable self‐management content and activating tools to cancer survivors via an eHealth program is a feasible and scalable approach to increasing access to self‐management tools and addressing cancer survivor needs.