Interactive Cancer Patient Education Program Announced

CANCER CARE N.S.--Interactive Cancer Patient Education Program Announced

Nova Scotia cancer patients, their families and their health-care workers have a new tool designed to help them through the various stages of the disease.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia today, Oct. 7, announced the introduction of the Oncology Interactive Education Series (OIES), an interactive, computer-based cancer-education program for patients, their families and health professionals.

The program was developed in Canada by Jack Digital Productions in collaboration with Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital. Nova Scotia is the first province to test it. It is being piloted in five health districts: Capital Health, Cape Breton District Health Authority, Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority, Pictou County Health Authority, and South West Health.

"Hearing the words, 'you have cancer,' is traumatic," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, commissioner, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "There are so many questions, so many fears, many of which can be alleviated if patients have access to quality cancer information. Information puts people back in the driver's seat. It helps them understand their treatment options and make informed decisions.

"For health professionals, access to quality patient education helps them support their patients. And, research also indicates that it leads to a better understanding of the illness, better compliance with treatment and thus better outcomes. OIES will respond to the needs that patients, families and health professionals have identified and ultimately lead to better cancer care."

Each of the 24 cancer-type specific titles in the series contains between 18 and 25 hours of information. Each topic follows the patient experience, providing information about disease prevention, early detection, symptoms, diagnosis, staging, treatment options, nutrition, pain management, psychosocial care and community support services. It also provides answers to a number of commonly asked questions. The learning is supported by three dimensional anatomy, patient experiences and clear graphics.

Donna Grant, nurse educator with the Capital Health Cancer Care Program, said that feedback from staff who have been trained on the program has been very positive. "We feel it is a valuable learning tool for ourselves and for our patients."

"Having the OIES program will allow patients and families to be better informed about their disease," said Mona Baryluk, director, Cape Breton Cancer Centre. "This interactive program enables patients to learn at their own pace and in their own time. Supported by volunteers, OIES supplements the one-to-one education patients and families receive as part of their care during their cancer journey."

OIES is designed to meet the need of a broad range of learning styles, computer experience, literacy levels and language skills. Trained volunteers will help patients, families and health professionals to use OIES. Patients who have access to a computer may also borrow titles from the program's lending libraries.

"The old adage that 'information is power' means a lot to people living with cancer," said Charlene Porter, patient navigator, Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority. "OIES will provide our patients with the information they need to face their illness."

Joanne Cumminger, patient navigator, Pictou County Health Authority said that OIES is helping her provide timely and accurate information to her patients. "This program is enabling me to contribute to better patient outcomes, increase compliance and satisfaction with care, lower anxiety and improve the ways that patients cope with their disease."

"We are very pleased to have the Oncology Interactive Education Series available in South West Health," said patient navigator Darolyn Walker. "It has become a valuable resource to both health professionals and patients who are seeking quality cancer information."

OIES will be evaluated to measure the use of the tool by patients, families and health professionals, as well as their satisfaction with it. The evaluation will also seek health professionals' opinions on how best to use the teaching tool as part of the care process. The decision to implement OIES across the province will be based on evaluation results, which are expected to be available in June 2005.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia is a program of the Department of Health, created to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals, families and the health-care system through prevention, screening, education and research.