Targeting support service information for rural men affected by cancer

• Register: ANZCTR
• Last refreshed on: 8 May 2017
• Main ID: ACTRN12617000565347
• Date of registration: 24/04/2017
• Prospective Registration: No
• Primary sponsor: University of Adelaide
• Public title: Targeting support service information for rural men affected by cancer
• Scientific title: Targeting support service information for rural people affected by cancer: does making information rural- and gender-specific improve the perceived accessibility of psychosocial services?
• Date of first enrolment: 15/06/2015
• Target sample size: 159
• Recruitment status: Completed
• URL: http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12617000565347.aspx
• Study type: Interventional
• Study design: Randomised controlled trial Parallel
• Phase: Not Applicable

Health Condition(s) or Problem(s) studied

Cancer

Psychosocial service use

Intervention(s)

Arm 1
Rural-targeted

The 12-page targeted brochure detailed 13 specific services (i.e., Cancer Council 13 11 20; supportive accommodation; transport; Country Cancer Support website; phone, letter, email, website and in-person information; counselling; online and in-person peer support; telephone or internet, and in-person, support groups; financial assistance; financial planning referral, and; legal referral) for rural people affected by cancer and included a telephone helpline fridge magnet. The appropriate contact details, availability, and a brief description were provided for each service. The targeting modifications were made using strategies for cultural appropriateness for population subgroups, with additional input provided by a panel of experienced social workers that worked with the target population. Following the panel’s recommendation, language used was informal, and referred to ‘country’ rather than “rural” needs. The brochure was delivered in a sealed, opaque envelope along with pre- and immediate-post questionnaires by supportive accommodation or research staff, or via post; participants were asked to read the brochure carefully after completing Time 1 measures (baseline, prior to intervention material exposure).

Arm 2
Rural- and male-targeted

As above, a 12-page targeted brochure detailed 13 specific services (i.e., Cancer Council 13 11 20; supportive accommodation; transport; Country Cancer Support website; phone, letter, email, website and in-person information; counselling; online and in-person peer support; telephone or internet, and in-person, support groups; financial assistance; financial planning referral, and; legal referral) for rural men affected by cancer and included a telephone helpline fridge magnet. The appropriate contact details, availability, and a brief description were provided for each service. The targeting modifications were made using strategies for cultural appropriateness for population subgroups, with additional input provided by a panel of experienced social workers that worked with the target population. Consistent with previous description in the literature, coping was further emphasised as an active, solution-focused process in the targeted rural male brochure. The brochure was delivered in a sealed, opaque envelope along with pre- and immediate-post questionnaires by supportive accommodation or research staff, or via post; participants were asked to read the brochure carefully after completing Time 1 measures (baseline, prior to intervention material exposure).