Pilot-Testing a Survivorship Needs Assessment Planning Tool for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors and Caregivers

The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot-test a tablet-based survivorship needs assessment planning (SNAP) tool to assess head and neck cancer (HNC) survivor and caregiver needs after treatment and generate tailored care plans. We recruited survivors completing treatment <24 months ago, and their caregivers. Participants completed baseline surveys, a clinic session with SNAP assessments (symptoms, unmet needs, behaviors) and care plan delivery, and 6-week follow-up surveys. We tracked intervention delivery/acceptability and used paired t-tests to explore changes in psychosocial factors over time. We enrolled 25 survivors (65% male, mean age = 63, 65% stage IVA) and their caregivers (73% female, mean age = 56, 77% partners). The average time to complete SNAP assessments was 11 and 6 minutes for survivors and caregivers, respectively. Algorithm-driven care plans included messages (mean = 19), educational materials (mean = 13) and referrals (mean = 4.5). Top referrals included Behavioral Medicine, Nutrition and Physical Therapy (84, 77 and 65% flagged, respectively). In those declining referrals, main reasons included being overwhelmed, seeing local provider or lacking interest. Participants rated SNAP favorably with >80% reporting high comfort using tablets and navigating questions. Dyads strongly agreed that care plans were helpful emotionally (>75%) and provided practical information (>73%). After the session, both survivors and caregivers reported signi...
Source: Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: ASPO 41st Annual Meeting Abstracts Source Type: research