Elin Børøsund|Milada Cvancarova|Mirjam Ekstedt|Shirley Moore|Cornelia M. Ruland
How User Characteristics Affect Use Patterns in Web-Based Illness Management Support for Patients with Breast and Prostate Cancer
Oslo University Hospital|University of Oslo|KTH Royal Institute of Technology|University of Oslo|University of Oslo
frequently ehealth applications used intended high attrition rates therefore better understanding patients need support warranted specifically research needed identify system components target different patient groups conditionsto explore user characteristics associated use different system components webbased illness management support system cancer patients webchoicefor secondary post hoc analysis large randomized controlled trial rct webchoice tested among 325 breast cancer prostate cancer patients followed repeated measures 1 year usage patterns 162 cancer patients intervention arm access webchoice extracted user log logistic regression performed identify patterns associations system use patient characteristics latent class analyses lca performed identify associations among use different system components levels social support symptom distress depression selfefficacy healthrelated quality lifeapproximately twothirds 103162 636 patients logged webchoice defined users high level computer experience odds ratio 377 95 ci 1201191 illnesses addition cancer 210 95 ci 102434 increased overall probability using webchoice lca showed men prostate cancer women breast cancer low scores social support accompanied high levels symptom distress high levels depression likely use emessage component men prostate cancer variables also associated high use selfmanagement advice component found important differences men prostate cancer women breast cancer associations webchoice use user characteristic analyzed separately high use components associated low levels social support among women breast cancer among men prostate cancer high use emessages advice discussion forum associated high levels depression among women breast cancer among men prostate cancer men prostate cancer women breast cancer high use symptom assessments advice discussion forum associated high levels symptom distress however unclear whether findings attributed differences related diagnosis gender boththis study provides evidence different user characteristics associated different use patterns information crucial target webbased support systems different patient groups lca useful technique identify subgroups users study emessages selfmanagement advice highly used components patients low levels social support high illness burden suggesting patients characteristics may find tools particularly usefulclinicaltrialsgov nct00710658 httpclinicaltrialsgovct2shownct00710658 archived webcite httpwwwwebcitationorg6emewziwz