Summaries of Independent Scientist (K) Awards

Chan, Evelyn C

Institution: The University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
Grant Title: Health Communication over the Internet
Grant Number: K02 HS11421
Duration: 5 years (2001-2006)
Total Award: $505,300

Project Description: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to provide preventive health care for colorectal screening. Personal information from the electronic medical record and educational information about colorectal cancer screening will be delivered to patients through a tailored interactive, Internet letter called the NetLet (interNET LETter), at home, work, or at a public library. The specific aims are:

• To develop the NetLet and demonstrate that it can be feasibly implemented with physicians and patients in a primary care practice and city public library system.
• To conduct a pilot evaluation of the NetLET's effect on adherence to colorectal screening compared to a standard mailed letter to the design of a larger trial.
• To assess the effect of the NetLET on interest in and knowledge about colorectal cancer screening compared to a standard mailed letter to inform the design of a larger trial.

Career Goals: The candidate is an Assistant Professor and Director of Biomedical Ethics in Internal Medicine at the University of Texas-Houston. She serves on the State Prostate Cancer Advisory Committee to the Texas Department of Health and on an advisory committee to Project JOLT at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Dr. Chan's goal is to develop into an independent researcher with a focus on informed decisionmaking.

Progress to Date: During the past year, the candidate has three manuscripts relating to informed decisionmaking based on research funded by the NCI and Department of Defense (DoD) accepted for publication in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, American Journal of Public Health, and Journal of Community Health. She gave invited presentations related to informed decisionmaking and her research in these areas at the Society of Medical Decision Making in Baltimore, Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM), Vancouver, Canada. Served as a faculty leader in a workshop entitled, "Informed decisionmaking and Controversial Preventive Services: an Approach to Patient-Provider Communication," at the SGIM international meeting. The candidate has continued to meet regularly with her sponsor to discuss ongoing research and is a co-investigator on an NCI funded project about a tailored interactive intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening. The infrastructure has been completed for the pilot study and enrolling of patients is underway. The candidate continues to spend time on clinical and teaching responsibilities in Internal Medicine.

Future Plans: Dr. Chan will analyze her pilot data and submit an R01 based on her findings. Further, these results will be written up for publication and presentation at professional meetings. Her limited patient care and teaching responsibilities will remain unchanged.

Highlights and Specific Accomplishments:

• Collaborated with Texas Medical Association, the Physician Oncology Education Program, Texas Cancer Council, and the Baylor College of Medicine Intercultural Cancer Center to develop content for state-wide Web site on prostate cancer screening, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.baylorcme.org/prostate/.
• Serves on the State Prostate Cancer Advisory Committee.
• Working with State Health Department to disseminate culturally appropriate brochures promoting informed decisionmaking about prostate cancer screening nation-wide. Texas, Maryland, Ohio, Wyoming and Georgia will use the brochures in their prostate cancer screening education programs.
• Serves as consultant on informed decisionmaking for the CDC and Physicians Oncology Education Program.
• Research funded by NCI and DOD accepted for publication in the following peer-reviewed Journals:
  • Journal of General Internal Medicine.
  • American Journal of Public Health.
  • Journal of Community Health.

K-Generated Publications: None thus far.
AHRQ Research Portfolios: Prevention; Informatics; Training.
AHRQ Goals: Effectiveness

Return to Recently Funded Career Development Award Grants
Proceed to Next Section