Tailoring information to older colorectal cancer patients: Effects of using a web-based patient-directed tool

Due to an ageing population, the number of older cancer patients (> 70 years) is rapidly increasing. Medical staff in oncology is confronted with a range of problems in older cancer patients including co-morbidity, poly-pharmacy, emotional problems and functional limitations, which requires high quality communication. To increase the likelihood that health messages will be understood and processed by older patients, it is critical to provide information in a variety of ways, such as online health information sources (in this study a web-based patient-directed tool called the ‘Patient Navigator’) and interpersonal communication (in this study surgeon-patient communication). Our current knowledge about the uses and effects of online health information tools such as the Patient Navigator, which aims to support adequate information provision (one of the main functions of medical communication), is limited. Particularly, there is little knowledge about underlying mechanisms that explain the effectiveness of using online health information tools. Literature suggests that the use of such tools can positively affect information recall, and that this effect is mediated by anxiety, patient participation during consultation, and evaluation of the communication. It is also expected that age and age-related differences in ability and motivation moderate the effects of exposure to an online health information tool on information recall. It is far from clear, however, to what extent these effects can be confirmed in empirical research. This research project explores the added value of the use of the Patient Navigator in terms of decreased anxiety, increased patient participation, improved evaluation of the communication and increased recall of information in older cancer patients. The results of this research project can be used to establish evidence- and theory-based guidance for the development of optimal patient education for older cancer patients.