DF/HCC Program Affiliation

Outcomes Research
Lung Cancer

Research Abstract

My research focuses on understanding how population-level communication influences the diffusion and adoption of cancer technologies. My current research program aims to explore the relationships between information dissemination and the use of personalized cancer care. Specifically, I am interested in understanding whether information dissemination on a population level (the media and the internet) or on an individual level (oncologist and patient information acquisition) may be driving the appropriate or inappropriate adoption of novel cancer technologies. I am evaluating the diffusion and adoption of a variety of cancer-related tests and treatments, including those that are well accepted (e.g. K-ras testing in colon cancer), those that are not recommended (e.g. chemotherapy sensitivity assays), and emerging tests for which there are limited clinical data (e.g. gene expression profiling for colon cancer). By studying the way in which information exposure relates to the uptake of a diverse range of technologies, I aim to understand if and how knowledge and uncertainty contribute to variations in cancer care. After gaining a better understanding of how various factors may be working to drive the use of new technologies, I plan to design targeted communication interventions to optimize the appropriate use of personalized cancer care.

Publications

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