CN20 - Impact of the free information service My Cancer Navigator according to patients and their relatives: An online survey

Background

My Cancer Navigator (MCN) service is the personalised information service of the Anticancer Fund. A team of scientists and physicians answers therapy-related questions of cancer patients and their relatives in an evidence-based manner. Communication occurs through email and (video)calls. The service aims to address information needs and contribute to well-informed and shared decision-making (SDM). A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the perceived impact of MCN on users’ emotions, knowledge level and communication with healthcare professionals (HCP); all factors contributing to SDM.

Methods

Quantitative and qualitative survey questions were based on a structured literature review. After Ethics approval (Catholic University Leuven ref S67258), the survey was disseminated via e-mail to people who used MCN from April 2022 to March 2023.

Results

Of 253 invited MCN users, 109 (43.1%) filled out the survey. Respondents were 64.2% patients and 35.8% relatives. Regarding impact on emotions of anxiety, worry, stress, uncertainty, sadness, self-confidence, optimism and hope, 72.5% of MCN users reported a positive change overall; 16.5% reported no and 11.0% a negative change. Of all patients, 68.5% indicated an increased ability to cope with their disease after MCN while 76.4% of relatives indicated an increased ability to support the patient. Knowledge level of various topics (diagnostics, treatments, trials…) improved for 86.3% of MCN users, with no change for 13.7%. Regarding impact on communication with HCPs, 37.8% reported a positive change. 48.5% of patients said discussing treatments with HCPs got easier; 44% found joint decision-making easier.

Conclusions

This study highlights that a personalised information service can improve users’ emotions, knowledge level and their communication with HCPs. Hence, addressing information needs can contribute to SDM. Further research should explore how this type of service can be integrated in the care pathway.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.