A patient-education computer program developed by physicians at the University of Wisconsin-Madison may provide traditionally underserved breast cancer patients with greater access to information, a better understanding of their disease and treatment options, and increased confidence in seeking answers and support through the medical system.

Using grant funds from the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Dr. David Gustafson and colleagues developed a program called Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System or CHESS. The program provides hundreds of frequently asked questions and answers, decision-making guides, information on treatment options, and discussion groups with other breast cancer patients.

In a study of 246 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, the researchers gave half of the women a copy of a breast cancer book and provided the other half with the CHESS program. Writing in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the researchers reported that the women who had access to the CHESS database of information used the service almost six times per week for about 13 minutes at each sitting.

“At two-month follow-up,” they wrote, “the CHESS group was significantly more competent at seeking information, more comfortable participating in care, and had greater confidence in doctors.” After five months, they noted, the CHESS group “had significantly better social support and also [maintained] greater information competence.”

An earlier version of the CHESS program, adapted for use by HIV-positive individuals, has already proven effective, Gustafson noted. He suggested that such computer-based systems can be used to support patients with a wide variety of illnesses—especially those currently underserved by traditional medical care.