Improving access to psychological services for people with cancer: A randomised controlled trial of an interactive web-based intervention (CancerCope)

Interactive, individualised, internet based cognitive behavioural intervention. The intervention aims to provide information and support to patients, to help them adjust to a diagnosis of cancer and reduce their cancer-related distress. Topics will include stress reduction, problem-solving, cognitive challenging and enhancing relationship support. To deliver the psychological intervention, the application will include educational information and videos with self-management tools and interactive tasks tailored in response to users' needs as determined by their input. The program has high levels of interactivity - self-assessment and monitoring tools such as quizzes and online diaries - to increase user engagement and systems to encourage use and self-management including personalised email reminders, follow up and feedback. The intervention will consist of six cores and will be metered (distributed), rather than provided all at once (like a static health information website). Cores one and two will be available immediately after completion of baseline assessment. Subsequent cores (three through to six) will be released at seven day intervals. Participants will be encouraged to complete the core within seven days of its release. It is anticipated that each core will take approximately one hour to complete. In addition to the six cores, the participant will have access to a “library” of information relevant to various challenges associated with cancer (e.g., managing fatigue, coping with treatment, managing conflict with a loved one). Following completion of all six cores, participants will be encouraged to review the core information and utilise the “library”. Participants will receive continued access to the intervention for the duration of the twelve month intervention period, to be accessed at their discretion.