Understanding patient engagement in breast cancer survivorship care: A national web-based survey.

Abstract

223 Background: Little is known about patient engagement (PE) into survivorship care (SC). Information is needed to further explore PE into SC, what factors may contribute to it and which patients are more likely to engage in SC and thus be better equipped to self-manage during survivorship. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how demographic/personal factors and survivorship variables are related to and may contribute to PE in early stage breast cancer survivors. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based self-report national survey was conducted using measures assessing personal/demographic factors, survivorship variables: health-related quality of life (HRQOL), fear of cancer recurrence, cancer health literacy and two measures of PE (patient activation (PA) and knowing participation in change (KPC). There was one open-ended question regarding additional survivorship concerns. Participants were recruited using Dr. Susan Love’s Army of Women Research Foundation and Craigslist. Data were analyzed via bivariate associations and backwards linear regression modeling in SPSS. Results: The final sample included 303 participants (301 females and 2 males), Μ age 50.70. The sample was predominantly White, non-Hispanic and equally dispersed across the United States. PE was significantly correlated with 13 predictors. There were 10 predictors resulting in significant ANOVA relationships with PA and KPC. In the KPC and PA regression models, HRQOL significantly predicted PE (p ≤ .001). In the KPC regression model, social support and level of education significantly predicted PE (p ≤ .001) and receipt of a survivorship care plan contributed unique variance to the model (9.1%). The open-ended question response categories included: physical and mental health concerns, financial toxicity, social support, body image concerns, other concerns or none. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that personal/demographic factors and survivorship variables may contribute to PE in breast cancer survivors. Findings may provide insight as to which survivors may be ready to engage in SC and those that may need more resources and support.