Dissemination innovation: Using found poetry to return study results to patients and partners facing cancer

Investigators should return study results to patients and families facing cancer to honor their research contributions. We created a found poem from transcripts of sexual and gender minority (SGM) couples facing cancer and returned it to study participants.

Participants were randomized to receive the found poem in text, text and audio, audio, or video format, completed dissemination preferences and emotion questionnaires, and open-ended questions about their experience receiving the poem.

Participants preferred the format they received (n = 15, 75.0%), with text-only and combined text and audio formats evoking the greatest number of emotions (n = 13 each). The following categories and subcategories were identified: dyadic experiences (support, strength, depth, durability); dissemination preferences (timing, method); emotion (positive, negative); utility of the found poem (affirming; fostering reflection; not useful or inaccurate, and sense of community). SGM participants utilized positive emotion, affirming, and a sense of community with greater frequency than non-SGM participants.

Innovative approaches to dissemination are acceptable; providing choices in how and when participants receive results may increase engagement; and SGM versus non-SGM groups may describe dyadic experiences differently.

Returning study results via found poetry is an innovative way to honor research participants facing cancer.