Social Media on Prescription for Colorectal Cancer Patients (SMOP)

The overall aim with this study is to get a deeper understanding of the potential benefits with a health platform for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

This is a prospective randomized parallel group design. Consecutive patients will be recruited from participating hospitals and randomized to either "prescribed participation" or just receiving information about the platform but with no prescription. All patients are also receiving standard care. After treatment all patients will receive information about the platform and the aim with the platform. A short demonstration of the platform will also be provided. The platform will contain general information on "Life after cancer treatment". It will be a forum to discuss with fellow-patients, both experienced and newly treated and it is also possible to address questions to health professionals. After the demonstration an information about the study will be given and patients will be asked to participate. If accepted a consent form will be presented and signed by the patients. All patients will be given an alias - a username, to be used at the platform which gives the patients confidentiality. However, as this is a research project they will be informed that their clinical data will be extracted from their patient charts. The alias will in a separate file be connected with their personal identification number. The patients randomized to intervention (prescribed participation) will be offered to contact a research nurse or researcher if they have any practical questions regarding the use of the platform. All patients will be asked to answer a questionnaire at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Patients will be answering the questionnaires electronically on the platform or in a paper version sent by ordinary mail.

Other: Patients will be encouraged to participate in an internet forum communicating with other patients at least once per week. Participation in the internet forum

"Placebo" Patients will not be able to enter or read in the forum, but will be able to read general information on the webpage where the forum is placed.

A 12-item measure of self-efficacy for coping with cancer that measures self empowerment and coping. Each question is answered on a 9 point Likert scale. The higher the score the more confident and self empowered

A 12-item measure of self-efficacy for coping with cancer that measures self empowerment and coping. Each question is answered on a 9 point Likert scale. The higher the score the more confident and self empowered

How frequent is the forum used? Will be tested using newly developed questions in a questionnaire. There will be a scale from 1-5

Is the platform easy to use? Will be tested using newly developed questions with 4-6 answering options.

Inclusion Criteria: Colorectal cancer diagnosis within 1 year Must be able to speak and read the Swedish language Must be able to use the health platform Exclusion Criteria: -Inability to speak and read the Swedish language