Hayley S. Thompson, PhD, Associate Professor, Population Studies and Disparities Research Program at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, was recently awarded a $1.8 million grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), which will be given over the next 4 years.
The grant titled “eHealth Activity Among African American and White Cancer Survivors” will study the use of Internet-based and mobile technologies by cancer survivors once their treatment has ended. The study will compare how African American and white cancer survivors access health resources electronically and the impact that has on their cancer survivorship.
Interviews will be conducted with a sample of approximately 1,230 African American and white breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors from the metropolitan Detroit area to assess general eHealth activity, as well as specific eHealth activities, such as searching the Internet for health information, purchasing medication online, or e-mailing one’s physician. A select subsample of 144 participants will receive in-home visits from the study team to observe personal health information management in the home and examine the role of technology in the context of health information management. The results will guide the development of a mobile app focused on cancer survivorship resources that can be accessed digitally.
“While it is good news that more people are surviving cancer, many of these individuals face different health-related issues,” said Dr. Thompson. “Working with eHealth technologies to help improve the cancer survivor’s access to needed services could help address and prevent some of the overwhelming needs and stresses that cancer survivors experience.” ■
