Browsing by Author "Perrault, Evan K."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Improving communication to increase uptake of high-risk breast cancer prevention appointments: Building a better letter
    (Elsevier, 2024-11-06) Perrault, Evan K.; Venetis, Maria K.; Ballinger, Tarah J.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Objective: Mailed letters to women identified as being at high-risk for developing breast cancer were not having the desired effect for encouraging appointments with prevention-focused providers at a large Midwest healthcare system. A partnership with communication scholars sought to revise the letter to increase awareness, intentions, and appointments. Methods: Guided by the Extended Parallel Process Model, survey responses were collected from letter recipients over the course of two years, both pre and post letter revision. Appointments attributed to letters were also tracked. Results: Recipients of the revised letter had increased knowledge regarding the length of prevention appointments and indicated greater self-efficacy and intentions to make and attend appointments compared to those who received the non-revised letter. A greater percentage who received the revised letter also made appointments. Conclusion: Partnering with communication scholars helped with improving a letter mailed to thousands of patients each year. Finding ways to increase response-efficacy of breast cancer prevention activities within communications may assist in increasing appointments. Innovation: Cross-disciplinary partnerships across the medical and social sciences - while not quick or simple - are essential for finding ways to improve patient wellbeing and hopefully reducing the prevalence of preventable diseases in the future.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Online information seeking behaviors of breast cancer patients before and after diagnosis: From website discovery to improving website information
    (Elsevier, 2020) Perrault, Evan K.; Hildenbrand, Grace M.; McCullock, Seth P.; Schmitz, Katie J.; Lambert, Natalie J.; Biostatistics, School of Public Health
    Despite the internet being a common place breast cancer patients seek information, navigating this Wild West of content can be challenging. The present study analyzed open-ended data from breast cancer survivors (n = 77) regarding their online information seeking behaviors when looking for breast cancer information to help inform the creation of improved online educational materials. Participants were asked what prompted them to seek information, which websites and search terms they used both before and after diagnosis, what information was useful, what misinformation was found, and what they would like to see improved. Results indicated symptoms, tests, or diagnoses prompt women to seek breast cancer information online, and that many different search terms and websites are used. More search terms and websites were utilized after diagnosis compared to before diagnosis, but the most common search terms and websites did not change much from before to after diagnosis. Cancer specific and general medical websites were the most popular. The most useful information related to treatment, obtaining information from other breast cancer survivors, statistics, and positively-valenced information. Though misinformation was not reported by many participants, some mentioned outdated survival rates, inaccurate information about alternative treatments, and other breast cancer patients’ experiences that did not align with their own. Participants desired improvements in treatment information, more factual information, a guide, and information that is easy to understand. Creation of a guide and use of search engine optimization to help breast cancer patients navigate this online information could be beneficial.