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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Apr 1;119(7):1437-45.
doi: 10.1002/cncr.27874. Epub 2013 Jan 18.

A Web-based communication aid for patients with cancer: the CONNECT Study

Neal J Meropol  1 , Brian L Egleston, Joanne S Buzaglo, Andrew Balshem, Al B Benson 3rd, Donald J Cegala, Roger B Cohen, Michael Collins, Michael A Diefenbach, Suzanne M Miller, Linda Fleisher, Jennifer L Millard, Eric A Ross, Kevin A Schulman, Allison Silver, Elyse Slater, Nicholas Solarino, Daniel P Sulmasy, Jonathan Trinastic, Kevin P Weinfurt
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A Web-based communication aid for patients with cancer: the CONNECT Study

Neal J Meropol et al. Cancer. .

Abstract

Background: Cancer patients and their oncologists often report differing perceptions of consultation discussions and discordant expectations regarding treatment outcomes. CONNECT, a computer-based communication aid, was developed to improve communication between patients and oncologists.

Methods: CONNECT includes assessment of patient values, goals, and communication preferences; patient communication skills training; and a preconsultation physician summary report. CONNECT was tested in a 3-arm, prospective, randomized clinical trial. Prior to the initial medical oncology consultation, adult patients with advanced cancer were randomized to the following arms: 1) control; 2) CONNECT with physician summary; or 3) CONNECT without physician summary. Outcomes were assessed with postconsultation surveys.

Results: Of 743 patients randomized, 629 completed postconsultation surveys. Patients in the intervention arms (versus control) felt that the CONNECT program made treatment decisions easier to reach (P = .003) and helped them to be more satisfied with these decisions (P < .001). In addition, patients in the intervention arms reported higher levels of satisfaction with physician communication format (P = .026) and discussion regarding support services (P = .029) and quality of life concerns (P = .042). The physician summary did not impact outcomes. Patients with higher levels of education and poorer physical functioning experienced greater benefit from CONNECT.

Conclusions: This prospective randomized clinical trial demonstrates that computer-based communication skills training can positively affect patient satisfaction with communication and decision-making. Measurable patient characteristics may be used to identify subgroups most likely to benefit from an intervention such as CONNECT.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no financial disclosures from any of the authors.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CONSORT Diagram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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