• D H Gustafson, R Hawkins, S Pingree, F McTavish, N K Arora, J Mendenhall, D F Cella, R C Serlin, F M Apantaku, J Stewart, and A Salner.
• Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA. dhgustaf@facstaff.wisc.edu
• J Gen Intern Med. 2001 Jul 1; 16 (7): 435445435-45.

ObjectiveAssess impact of a computer-based patient support system on quality of life in younger women with breast cancer, with particular emphasis on assisting the underserved.DesignRandomized controlled trial conducted between 1995 and 1998.SettingFive sites: two teaching hospitals (Madison, Wis, and Chicago, Ill), two nonteaching hospitals (Chicago), and a cancer resource center (Indianapolis, Ill). The latter three sites treat many underserved patients.ParticipantsNewly diagnosed breast cancer patients (N = 246) under age 60.InterventionsExperimental group received Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS), a home-based computer system providing information, decision-making, and emotional support.Measurements And Main ResultsPretest and two post-test surveys (at two- and five-month follow-up) measured aspects of participation in care, social/information support, and quality of life. At two-month follow-up, the CHESS group was significantly more competent at seeking information, more comfortable participating in care, and had greater confidence in doctor(s). At five-month follow-up, the CHESS group had significantly better social support and also greater information competence. In addition, experimental assignment interacted with several indicators of medical underservice (race, education, and lack of insurance), such that CHESS benefits were greater for the disadvantaged than the advantaged group.ConclusionsComputer-based patient support systems such as CHESS may benefit patients by providing information and social support, and increasing their participation in health care. These benefits may be largest for currently underserved populations.

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