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Usability and acceptance evaluation of ACESO: a Web-based breast cancer survivorship tool

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Abstract

Purpose

The specific objective of this research is to design and develop a personalized Web application to support breast cancer survivors after treatment, as they deal with post-treatment challenges, such as comorbidities and side effects of treatment.

Methodology

A mixed-methods approach, utilizing a combination of think-aloud analysis, personal interviews, and surveys, was adopted for user acceptance and usability testing among a group of breast cancer survivors. User feedback was gathered on their perceived value of the application, and any user-interface issues that may hinder the overall usability were identified.

Results

The application’s portability and capability of organizing their entire breast cancer-related medical history as well as tracking various quality of life indicators were perceived to be valuable features. The application had an overall high usability; however, certain sections of the application were not as intuitive to locate. Visual elements of the website were appreciated; however, overall experience would benefit from incorporating more sociable elements that exhibit positive re-enforcement within the end user and provide a friendlier experience.

Conclusion

The results of the study showcase the need for more personalized tools and resources to support survivors in self-management. It also demonstrates the ability to integrate breast cancer survivorship care plans from diverse providers and paves the way to add further value-added features in consumer health applications, such as personal decision support.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Using a personal decision support-based tool can serve as a training tool and resource, providing these patients with pertinent information about the various aspects of their long-term health, while educating them about any related side effects and symptoms. It is hoped that making such tools more accessible could help in engaging survivors to play an active role in managing their health and encourage shared decision-making with their providers.

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Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Services and Information Management, East Carolina University, 600 Moye Blvd. Mail Stop 668, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA

    Akshat Kapoor

  2. Department of Health Informatics and Administration, Social Media and Health Research and Training Lab, College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Northwest Quadrant Building B, Rm #6410, 2025 East Newport Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-0413, USA

    Priya Nambisan

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Contributions

AK conceptualized, designed, and developed the intervention, contributed to data collection, analysis, and wrote sections of the manuscript. PN contributed to the study design, interpretation, and analysis of results and wrote sections of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Akshat Kapoor.

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Kapoor, A., Nambisan, P. Usability and acceptance evaluation of ACESO: a Web-based breast cancer survivorship tool. J Cancer Surviv 12, 316–325 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-017-0670-8

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