Methods: A two-group randomized controlled pretest-posttest design will be used and collect data at baseline (T1) and 4 months later (T2) among 50 patients completing initial treatment for localized prostate cancer and their partners. First, the investigators will assess the feasibility of ESCP by recruitment, enrollment, and retention rates, program satisfaction with the ESCP, and perceived ease of use of the ESCP. To achieve the secondary aim, the ESCP users will be compared with the standardized SCP users and assess their primary outcomes of QOL (overall, physical, emotional, and social QOL), secondary outcomes (reduction in negative appraisals and improvement in self-efficacy, social support, and health behaviors to manage symptoms), and number of visits to post-treatment care services at T1 and T2. The primary and secondary outcomes are assessed using measurements with sound psychometrical properties. The investigators will use a qualitative and quantitative mixed methods approach to achieve the research aims.
Conclusions: The results from this study will help design a definitive randomized trial to test the efficacy of the ESCPs, a potentially scalable program, to enhance supportive care for prostate cancer patients and their families.
