These five interactive programs will soon be used in a field study at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center of Georgetown University Hospital.  The objective of the study is to evaluate the educational effectiveness of the virtual dialogue method to help women learn the basic facts about breast cancer and have more fruitful discussions with health professionals about their specific circumstance.  This study will also evaluate the acceptance of this educational method by women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and currently undergoing treatment. 

Three of the programs were used in a preliminary field study at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.  Fifty-six women, age 18-77, participated in that study.  Some of the subjects were previously treated for breast cancer; the majority had not had breast cancer but were concerned about the disease.  Each participant interacted with an oncologist, a nurse practitioner, and a breast cancer survivor (see video clip).  Every subject completed a knowledge pre- and post-test about breast cancer, as well as several questionnaires regarding her experience with the virtual dialogue technology and method. 

The findings from the initial study showed that significant learning gain concerning breast self-exam, risk factors, risk reduction, early detection, diagnostic procedures, and treatment occurred with this method.  Also, subjects reported increased feelings of confidence regarding their ability to communicate with health professionals about breast cancer and distinct feelings of emotional support from their virtual dialogues.  Based on these findings, NINR awarded additional grant funds to continue and expand this research.