Development and evaluation of a community cancer resource directory

The Frederick Cancer-Related Resource Directory was developed in response to the community's need to be informed about available services for cancer patients. A 1-year followup and evaluation was conducted to determine what changes or corrections were needed in the text of the directory and if the objectives of the project had been met. The evaluation survey of the listed resources revealed that a large number of changes in the directory were required. Seventy-eight percent of the respondents replied that at least one change was required in their entry. The followup also revealed that 16 percent of the listed resources knew of at least one referral that they received as a result of the directory listing. The survey of directory recipients indicated that 27 percent of the private practice physicians and 61 percent of the other health-related service providers who have a directory have used it or read through it. Approximately 64 percent of the users have provided clients or patients with information from the directory. Almost half of all respondents replied that, as a result of the directory listing, they had developed closer working relationships with at least one other cancer-related service organization, although the percentage was considerably higher for health-related service providers (51.2 percent) than for private physicians (27.3 percent). More than half of the respondents (58 percent) believed that a simpler directory should be made available to patients instead of or in addition to the providers' directory. Members of the project's multi agency committee became much more aware of the wide variety of cancer patients' needs and available resources. The most beneficial aspect of the project for them was the opportunity to work with persons from other agencies and to develop closer, long-term relationships.