Effects of Interactive Cancer Communication Systems (ICCS) use on quality of life of breast cancer patients and simulation modeling of level of use

The physical and emotional effects of breast cancer diagnosis and its subsequent treatment can be life-altering. One's quality of life (QoL), self-image and ability to carry out roles within and outside of the home can be influenced. Such effects can vary by stage of cancer, age, race, and educational background of the patient. In addition, cancer patients are expected and advised to process complex information, seek out social support, and participate (as desired) in decision making about one's health care. A growing body of literature indicates that Interactive Cancer Communication Systems (ICCSs) as an intervention result in several positive outcomes for breast cancer patients (Gustafson et al., 2001; Nicholas et al., 2003). One ICCS system is the Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS), developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.;Previous studies of CHESS have concluded that use of CHESS services has had positive effects on breast cancer patients' overall quality of life (Gustafson et al., 2001; Gustafson et al., 2005). However, little analysis addressed the longitudinal utilization of CHESS services by most users, and the specific benefits derived from using those services. The purpose of this study is to identify the longitudinal use pattern of the CHESS discussion group service and its effect on CHESS user's health outcomes. The findings have significant implications in terms of re-engineering ICCSs, to emphasize enhancements to those services of greatest utility to user QoL and health outcomes. Further, the findings have implications for how to effectively translate CHESS intervention into practice.;Data were collected from 91 breast cancer patients assigned to the CHESS intervention group of a randomized clinical trial (CHESS). The study originally had three arms and a total of 257 breast cancer patients were enrolled. Using Social Support (Gustafson et al., 2001), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) (Cella et al., 1993; Brady et al., 1997) scales, and computer recorded use data, this study found the longitudinal relationships of system usage and patients' health outcomes. Latent Growth Modeling (LGM) was used as analysis framework. In particular, the evidence shows direct effect of use of this system on patients' Quality of Life (QoL).