The Significance of Tailored, Web-based Information on Experience Regarding Perceived Self-Management in Ovarian Cancer Patients in the Diagnostic Phase-An Experimental Study

Cancer patients can experience a low self-management, which is associated with burn out and negatively associated with health-related quality of life. Patient-provider time at hospitals is often short and patients can lack knowledge, communication and support. We aimed to evaluate the influence of a healthcare-professional developed website, available to both patients and relatives, on patients’ experienced self-management before surgery for ovarian cancer. In an experimental study, Danish women with ovarian cancer were consecutively included if they would participate and had a relative, willing to offer attention to the cancer situation. The control group had standard care, the intervention group plus their relatives had additional access to a website with cancer-specific physical, psychical, and practical information. The validated questionnaires Cancer Behavior Inventory and Sense of Coherence provided data for statistical analysis. Patients’ difference in change in Sense of Coherence over time was statistically significant in favor of those who had used the website (mean difference 4.42, p<0.001).Patients’ and relatives’ access to our website prevented a decrease in self-management of Danish women in the diagnostic phase of ovarian cancer. Such support might be helpful to all patients approaching critical illness and who have a helpful relative, but this needs further investigation.