Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies awarded $8.6 million NIH grant

The Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies (CHESS) has been awarded a second grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to continue its role as a leader in cancer communication research.

The five-year, $8.6 million grant for the Center of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research II (CECCR II) will investigate problems associated with cancer communication in a rapidly changing communication environment.

Principal Investigator David H. Gustafson, UW–Madison professor of industrial engineering, directs the project, titled “Using Technology to Enhance Cancer Communication and Improve Clinical Outcomes.”

“We’re thrilled to be able to continue the work that we’ve done in the last five years to improve the quality of life for patients with cancer,” says Beth Burnside, deputy director for CECCR II and assistant professor in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.

As one of only five grantees nationwide, the CECCR II brings together scientists from different disciplines. The grant will fund three studies:

• “Effectiveness of the CHESS E-Health Cancer Support Intervention in Population-based Care.” This study aims to provide information about the business and clinical cases for comprehensive interactive cancer communication systems (ICCS) in the context of real world use for cancer care. This study will be conducted within the Kaiser Permanente Northwest health care system.
• “Interactive Cancer Communication Systems (ICCS) in Lung Cancer: Evaluating Survival Benefits.” This study will examine the quality of life outcomes from patient use of an ICCS during advanced cancer treatment. The proposed research will yield new information about the role of an ICCS for advanced cancer patients. James Cleary of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health and Lori DuBenske serve as co-principal investigators for this study. Cleary is also a researcher at the UW Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• “Interactive Cancer Communication Systems’ Directed Physical Activity Enhancement for Colon Cancer Survivors.” This project will develop and test a new ICCS called Mobile Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (mCHESS). The study will test the efficacy of the CHESS program of information and support to help newly diagnosed colon cancer survivors increase their physical activity, decrease distress and improve quality of life.

The CHESS Center is a growing and dynamic mission-driven organization focused on improving health and quality of life through organizational and individual change projects and research. It consists of two primary initiatives:

• The Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS) is focused on helping individuals with chronic or life-threatening illnesses improve their quality of life through Web-based support or other kinds of technology.
• The Network for the Improvement of Addiction Treatment (NIATx) is dedicated to improving the quality of addiction and mental health services.