Effect of a brief eLearning module on communication skills in cancer carers: a pilot randomised controlled trial

INTERVENTION: The intervention is a 15‐minute eLearning module for informal cancer carers to strengthen communication and advocacy skills when interacting with health providers. The single session 15‐minute intervention is asynchronous, and delivered online. The mode of training used were interactive activities with audio and visual informational content. Participants were emailed the link to a baseline survey, after completion of the survey, they were redirected to the online eLearning module. Participants completed the module in their own time and at their own pace. The platform used indicated participants' progress and completion of the module on the participant's profile. The researchers were able to track participants' progress by accessing participants' profiles. CONDITION: Cancer ‐ Any cancer cancer; ; cancer Public Health ‐ Health promotion/education PRIMARY OUTCOME: communication confidence, [‐ Communication confidence (Caregiver Confidence in Communication Survey); Participants' survey responses were measured at baseline, 2 weeks post‐baseline, and 3 months post‐baseline. The intervention group will have been exposed to the intervention at baseline, 2 weeks prior the second survey completed.] INCLUSION CRITERIA: Caregivers will be eligible to participate in the RCT if: they are aged 18+ and are providing support to someone currently receiving treatment for cancer; their care recipient was diagnosed with cancer within the preceding 3 years; they have access to the internet and a digital device and can read and speak English. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Active engagement with healthcare providers [Health Literacy of Caregivers Scale‐Cancer sub‐domain ; Participants' survey responses were measured at baseline, 2 weeks post‐baseline, and 3 months post‐baseline. The intervention group will have been exposed to the intervention at baseline, 2 weeks prior the second survey completed.] Caregiver burden ; [Zarit Burden Interview‐12 item Participants' survey responses were measured at baseline, 2 weeks post‐baseline, and 3 months post‐baseline. The intervention group will have been exposed to the intervention at baseline, 2 weeks prior the second survey completed.] Health literacy[European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire ; Participants' survey responses were measured at baseline, 2 weeks post‐baseline, and 3 months post‐baseline. The intervention group will have been exposed to the intervention at baseline, 2 weeks prior the second survey completed.] Preparedness for caregiving ; [Preparedness for Caregiving Scale ; Participants' survey responses were measured at baseline, 2 weeks post‐baseline, and 3 months post‐baseline. The intervention group will have been exposed to the intervention at baseline, 2 weeks prior the second survey completed.] Psychological symptoms were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales‐21 (DASS21). The 21‐items comprise three subscales that measure depression, anxiety, and stress[Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale‐21 Participants' survey responses were measured at baseline, 2 weeks post‐baseline, and 3 months post‐baseline. The intervention group will have been exposed to the intervention at baseline, 2 weeks prior the second survey completed.] Supported by health providers to understand information [Health Literacy of Caregivers Scale‐Cancer sub‐domain Participants' survey responses were measured at baseline, 2 weeks post‐baseline, and 3 months post‐baseline. The intervention group will have been exposed to the intervention at baseline, 2 weeks prior the second survey completed.]