Developing and testing a web‐based intervention to encourage early help‐seeking in people with symptoms associated with lung cancer

OBJECTIVES: To detail the development method used to produce an online, tailored, theory‐based, user‐centred intervention to encourage help‐seeking for potential lung cancer symptoms. DESIGN: Intervention development was structured around the person‐based approach. The feasibility study involved a randomized controlled trial design. METHODS: Intervention development drew on qualitative inquiries, the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and identifying concrete mechanisms of change to implement in the intervention (Behaviour Change Techniques). The final intervention involved two key features: (1) tailoring and (2) ‘TPB components’ to target beliefs about help‐seeking. In an online feasibility study, we recruited people reporting potential lung cancer symptoms using mailing lists, social media, websites, and Google AdWords. Participants were randomized to the intervention, a tailored comparison group (CG) without TPB‐components, an untailored CG with TPB components, or a CG with neither. Following treatment, participants clicked a button to indicate whether they wished to make an appointment and completed a TPB questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 130 participants reporting relevant symptoms were recruited (24% of website visitors). Participants in the intervention group reported higher intention to seek help than those who received tailored information without TPB components (p = .03). User comments indicate more support is needed for people who sought help for symptoms, but felt dismissed. CONCLUSIONS: The potential for differential dropout in online randomized trials requires careful consideration. Future help‐seeking interventions should provide support for those who have previously felt dismissed by health professionals. The feasibility study provides some evidence that our ‘TPB components’ were effective, but validation in a powered trial is necessary. STATEMENT OF CONTRIBUTION: What is already known on this subject? People with lung cancer often delay presenting symptoms to health services. Some patients (or their family/friends) look up symptoms online before their diagnosis, to decide whether they should see a doctor. Interventions are needed to ensure people can find useful information online that will encourage them to seek help for relevant symptoms. What does this study add? Theory‐mapping and user involvement facilitated systematic intervention development. Lung cancer help‐seeking interventions should address salient beliefs and personal relevance. The potential for differential dropout in online randomized trials requires careful consideration.