Investigating the Impact of Tailored Reports on Anxiety Amongst Cancer Patients and Their Confidants

Objective: To explore the hypothesis that different methods of selecting and printing information for cancer patients could improve emotional support by affecting interaction with others, and so lead to improved psychological wellbeing. Design: Randomised trial with 8 groups (three factors, 2X2X2). Data collected at recruitment and three month follow-up. Participants: 400 patients starting radiotherapy and their 'confidant' (the person in who they confide). Interventions: Printed booklets. 1. Half had 'general' CancerBACUP information for that cancer; half had 'personal' information from the medical record plus selected general information; 2. Half chose information by 'interacting' with the computer; half had a larger volume of material in booklets that were produced 'automatically'. 3. Half had additional 'anxiety management advice'. Outcomes: Patients' views; use of booklet with others; change in reported social support; change in anxiety and depression.