Impact of email/websites for sharing information in families - V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation into the use of emails and interactive websites for the provision of information by health professionals to families at increased risk of colorectal cancer to facilitate sharing information by relatives.
IRAS ID
181861
Contact name
Selina M A Goodman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Plymouth University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
A proportion of those affected by bowel cancer have inherited a genetic predisposition to the condition, and members of their families will have an increased risk of bowel cancer. Individuals who have been advised to have regular bowel screening by colonoscopy will have been told to warn their relatives of their risk. However, evidence indicates that only a minority of relatives access screening or genetic testing (Sharaf et al 2013, Snowsill et al 2014).
Many different factors can impede communication (Seymour et al 2010) but in families with an increased risk of cancer, there are significant potential benefits to relatives if that information can help them access appropriate screening or be alert to early symptoms of disease (Menko et al 2013).Email is commonly used to communicate; although it is still used less frequently in healthcare than in other arenas. Improving technology has enabled greater data security for the use of email in healthcare (Newhouse et al 2015). Also, password protected patient portals and websites (Ammenwerth et al 2012) could provide new opportunities for family members to share information that has been provided by their healthcare professional in a quick and secure manner.
We will seek to develop improved methods of information provision through this research, focussing on providing information electronically to facilitate sharing.Phase 1 A cross-sectional survey will be administered via websites, following genetics advice and at screening clinics to find out the experiences and opinions of people at increased risk of bowel cancer about methods of sharing information.
Phase 2 Semi-structured telephone interviews of a purposive sample of respondents to the survey will seek to capture more detailed opinions about how to improve supportive information.
Phase 3 A website will be developed and tested by users through Think-Aloud interviews to check acceptability and uptake.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0250
Date of REC Opinion
16 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion