Perceived impact of a decision-aid and planning tool for family building after cancer for young adult female cancer survivors.

PURPOSE

Young adult female (YA-F) cancer survivors report fertility-related uncertainty and distress. Roadmap to Parenthood ("Roadmap") is a web-based decision aid and planning tool for family building after cancer. This study examined the perceived impact of Roadmap, encompassing aspects of website utility and its effects on confidence and motivation, identified factors related to the perceived impact of Roadmap, and evaluated whether the perceived impact related to changes in psychosocial outcomes.

METHODS

Secondary analyses of a single-arm pilot study were conducted. Participants completed a baseline survey (T1), accessed Roadmap, and completed a survey 1 month post-baseline (T2). The eHealth Impact Questionnaire (eHIQ) measured the perceived impact of Roadmap. A linear regression model evaluated associations between baseline factors and the eHIQ. Linear regression models evaluated relationships between the eHIQ and decisional conflict, unmet information needs, fertility self-efficacy, and self-efficacy for managing fertility-related negative emotions at T2, controlling for baseline (T1) levels of each outcome.

RESULTS

Among participants (N = 98), 93% reported accessing Roadmap. A more positive perceived impact of Roadmap was related to younger age (β =  - .348 p = .002), lower household income (β =  - .321. p = .021), greater health literacy (β = .326 p = .004), and dissatisfaction with post-treatment fertility discussions (β =  - .279 p = .029). Those who reported a more positive perceived impact of Roadmap reported lower decisional conflict (β =  - .368, p < .001) and unmet information needs (β =  - .515, p < .001); self-efficacy outcomes were not related.

CONCLUSION

A web-based decision aid for family building after cancer effectively supports important survivor subgroups. Future directions include assessing the needs of those with low health literacy and improving patient-provider communication.