Factors affecting enrollment in literacy studies for English- and Spanish-speaking cancer patients.

Background: Study participation bias can affect inferences regarding outcomes.

Objective: The objective is to compare characteristics of participants and non-participants of two literacy studies.

Methods: Two studies of literacy and health-related quality of life were conducted in English- and Spanish-speaking cancer patients.

A randomized validation study comparing embedded versus extracted FACT Head and Neck Symptom Index scores.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of administration context (embedded versus stand-alone) on the reliability and validity of the FACT Head and Neck Symptom Index (FHNSI).

Methods: Ninety-eight patients with head and neck cancer were randomized to one of two assessment conditions to evaluate the FHNSI's context (items administered embedded within the FACT-H&N or as stand-alone scale) and order of administration in the battery.

Results: Planned comparisons on the item and scale levels revealed no systematic order or context differences.

The talking touchscreen: a new approach to outcomes assessment in low literacy.

Purpose: Cancer patients who are deficient in literacy skills are particularly vulnerable to experiencing different outcomes due to disparities in care or barriers to care. Outcomes measurement in low literacy patients may provide new insight into problems previously undetected due to the challenges of completing paper-and-pencil forms.

Description Of Study: A multimedia program was developed to provide a quality of life assessment platform that would be acceptable to patients with varying literacy skills and computer experience.

Quality of life assessment for low literacy Latinos: a new multimedia program for self-administration.

Cancer patients who have limited literacy skills or English language proficiency are particularly vulnerable to receiving sub-optimal care. Outcome measurement in these patients may provide new insight into previously undetected problems. This report describes the development and testing of a Spanish language, multimedia program for quality of life (QOL) assessment.