Cancer patients and the Internet: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating an intervention to facilitate physician and patient information exchange from the Internet (I). P. M. Ellis, S. J. D. Dimitry, G. Browman, T. J. Whelan; Juravinski Cancer Centre, Hamilton, ON, Canada Abstract: Background: Prior research showed that only a small proportion of patients with cancer use the Internet to find information and discuss it with their oncologist. Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of using a question prompt sheet (QPS) to promote discussion of health-related I information between patients and oncologists. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive or not the QPS and then assessed pre-and post- consultation for discussion of I information with their physician, satisfaction with the medical encounter, anxiety (Speilberger STAI), information and decision making preferences, plus I use. Results: 103 patients with breast, lung, GU or GI cancer visiting an oncologist participated (response rate 78%). Mean age was 66 yrs. (SD 10.08), 39% were female, 85% were married and 33% had some post-secondary education. There were no differences in baseline patient characteristics between groups with the exception that patients in the QPS group preferred to be less involved in decision making vs. control group. 14.6% of those randomized to QPS discussed I information in the clinical encounter versus 10.9% of controls (p=0.476). There was no significant difference between groups with respect to change in anxiety scores (pre- vs. post-consultation) or patient satisfaction with the consultation. 46 patients had used the I to seek any type of information, 39 sought health information and 38 sought cancer information. Patients reported using the I to obtain more detailed information about their cancer/treatment options (71%), to clarify information given to them by a physician (58%), to gain a better understanding of medical terms (23%), and to find/access decision aids (47%). Two thirds of patients sought information before they had an initial consultation with an oncologist. Conclusions: A small proportion of patients discussed information from the Internet with their oncologist (13%). The QPS was not effective in promoting this behavior. Other strategies need to be evaluated to encourage patients to bring information from other sources to the clinical consultation. Abstract No: 6139 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.