Article type
Abstract
"Background: The rise in cancer-related misinformation compromises the ability of those impacted by cancer to make evidence-based, informed health decisions. Thus, interventions that can help reduce the number of victims of misinformation are necessary. The Informed Health Choice-Cancer (IHC-C) programme is an evidence-based education programme building on the Informed Health Choices initiative, which uses a suite of Key Concepts (KCs) to help people critically evaluate claims and make informed choices.
Objectives: To develop an evidence-based intervention programme that provide people impacted by cancer with the skills and knowledge necessary to think critically about the reliability of health information, thereby making well-informed health choices.
Methods: Using a human-centred approach, the IHC-C is conducted in two stages, involving recruiting a steering group and a patient and public involvement (PPI) group. At stage 1, KCs were prioritised to identify those most relevant to cancer. A consensus was reached regarding the inclusion of KCs. At stage 2, an iterative pilot cycle was utilised to develop and evaluate an evidence-based learning resource. Prioritised KCs were populated with evidence-based cancer information and methods to identify and address misinformation, tailoring the resource to align specifically with each KC’s topic. Analysis, iterative piloting and revisions were conducted to refine and improve the resource.
Results: A total of 35 participants were recruited for the programme. Nine Key Concepts were prioritised through a structured two-round prioritisation process, forming the foundation for developing the evidence-based learning resource. Thus, a resource comprising nine lessons has been created, each dedicated to a different topic of critical thinking in the context of cancer. Each lesson has been designed to engage participants for approximately 40 minutes and includes a quiz to assess learning outcomes. Currently, pilot evaluation is ongoing for further refinement. A randomised controlled trial will follow to determine the effectiveness of this evidence-based resource.
Conclusions: Cancer-related misinformation undermines the capacity of those impacted by cancer when facing health information. It is important to support individuals to think critically and help them make informed decisions based on evidence. The IHC-C programme will assist individuals in navigating health information and misinformation and making better-informed decisions."
Objectives: To develop an evidence-based intervention programme that provide people impacted by cancer with the skills and knowledge necessary to think critically about the reliability of health information, thereby making well-informed health choices.
Methods: Using a human-centred approach, the IHC-C is conducted in two stages, involving recruiting a steering group and a patient and public involvement (PPI) group. At stage 1, KCs were prioritised to identify those most relevant to cancer. A consensus was reached regarding the inclusion of KCs. At stage 2, an iterative pilot cycle was utilised to develop and evaluate an evidence-based learning resource. Prioritised KCs were populated with evidence-based cancer information and methods to identify and address misinformation, tailoring the resource to align specifically with each KC’s topic. Analysis, iterative piloting and revisions were conducted to refine and improve the resource.
Results: A total of 35 participants were recruited for the programme. Nine Key Concepts were prioritised through a structured two-round prioritisation process, forming the foundation for developing the evidence-based learning resource. Thus, a resource comprising nine lessons has been created, each dedicated to a different topic of critical thinking in the context of cancer. Each lesson has been designed to engage participants for approximately 40 minutes and includes a quiz to assess learning outcomes. Currently, pilot evaluation is ongoing for further refinement. A randomised controlled trial will follow to determine the effectiveness of this evidence-based resource.
Conclusions: Cancer-related misinformation undermines the capacity of those impacted by cancer when facing health information. It is important to support individuals to think critically and help them make informed decisions based on evidence. The IHC-C programme will assist individuals in navigating health information and misinformation and making better-informed decisions."