Cancer patients’ use of the internet for cancer information and support

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily B. Peterson ◽  
Megan J. Shen ◽  
Jennifer Gueguen Weber ◽  
Carma L. Bylund
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Harmful Effect ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Patient Communication ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Power Shift ◽  
Internet Information

The rise of the internet has dramatically changed the way that patients seek cancer-related information, as well as how they discuss these topics with their healthcare providers. Patients’ increased access to web-acquired information has created a power shift in clinician–patient communication, which may either have a beneficial effect on the relationship (e.g. when patients engage in better shared decision-making) or a harmful effect (e.g. when patients directly challenge their provider’s opinions). This chapter first explores how patients utilize the internet both to acquire cancer-related health information and to seek social support through online forums and support groups. The chapter then draws from facework theories to better understand how clinicians and patients introduce, discuss, and evaluate internet information. The chapter concludes with suggested guidelines and exemplary statements to improve clinician–patient communication about health information found on the internet.

Quality of internet information according to language search on childhood Cancer (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunam Cuan-Baltazar ◽  
Maria José Muñóz-Pérez ◽  
Elena Soto Vega
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Pediatric Cancer ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Internet Information ◽  
Chi2 Test

BACKGROUND Background: Health information on the internet could vary its quality given that nowadays it is easy for everyone to spread information on the internet even if it is not reliable. Also, one factor that could influence the quality of the information is the language in which it is presented. Parents of children with cancer tend to search for their children´s disease on the internet, and this could affect the decisions the parents take concerning their children´s treatment OBJECTIVE Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the quality of pediatric cancer information on the internet provided in English and Spanish languages METHODS Methods: Three different quality engines were used, JAMA benchmarks, DISCERN and HONcode to assess English and Spanish websites. RESULTS Results: : DISCERN scores were significantly different between English and Spanish websites (Mann-Whitney U test, p<0.001), JAMA benchmarks show a difference between English and Spanish websites (Chi2 test, p=0.009), but HONcode was no different between groups. CONCLUSIONS Conclusions: English websites had a better information quality than Spanish websites.

Cancer Information Seeking among Black and White Adults: Results from the 2003 and 2005 Health Information National Trends Surveys

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 16-29
Author(s):  
Jiali Ye ◽  
Zhiheng Xu ◽  
Bamidele Adesunloye
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Black And White ◽  
National Trends ◽  
Cancer Information Seeking ◽  
White Adults

Information seeking has significant impact on improving cancer preventive activities and health decision making. This study sought to compare Black and White adults on cancer information seeking and the choice of primary information sources. Non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White adults completed Health Information National Trends Surveys (HINTS) collected in 2003 and in 2005. The results of bivariate analyses showed that Whites were more likely than Blacks to be cancer information seekers for both years (2003: 49.0% vs. 40.8%, p < .001; 2005: 54.6% vs. 46.9%, p = .008). However, after controlling for sociodemographic variables, race was not significantly associated with cancer information seeking. Both racial groups increased their likelihood of cancer information seeking from 2003 to 2005, although the increase was only statistically significant for Whites ( p < .001). Health providers and the Internet were the top two most selected primary cancer information sources for both racial groups. These findings indicate that sociodemographic factors, such as gender, education, and cancer history, may shape the racial difference in health information seeking among the general population. Among all the information sources, health care providers and the Internet play the most important role in providing cancer-related information.

scholarly journals ‘Prostate Cancer' Information on the Internet: Fact or Fiction?

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 200-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf Moolla ◽  
Ahmed Adam ◽  
Marlon Perera ◽  
Nathan Lawrentschuk
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Internet Information ◽  
Website Content

Background/Aims: In today's information era, patients often seek information regarding health using the internet. We assessed reliability and validity of internet information regarding ‘prostate cancer'. Methods: Search term ‘prostate cancer' used on Google website (June 2017). Critical analysis was performed on first 100 hits using JAMA benchmarks, DISCERN score, Health on the Net. Results: 33 500 000 hits returned. Top 100 hits were critically analyzed. Ten links [duplicate links (n = 7), book reviews (n = 1), dead sites (n = 2)] were excluded, therefore 90 were analyzed. Subcategories assessed included: commercial (53.33%), university/medical center (24.44%), government (13.33%); non-governmental/ non-profit organizations (8.89%). Sub-type of information content assessed included: factual (74.44%), clinical trials (18.89%); stories (5.56%); question and answer (1.11%). Website rated as HONcode seal positive (14,44%) or seal negative (85,56%). Website content based on JAMA benchmarks: 0 benchmarks (4.44%), 1 benchmark (16.67%), 2 benchmarks (34.44%), 3 benchmarks (27.78%), 4 benchmarks (16.67%). DISCERN score rated: ‘low' score (16-32) = 12 websites (13.33%), ‘moderate' score (33-64 points) = 68 websites (75.56%), ‘high' score (≥ 65 points) = 10 websites (11.11%). Conclusion: Critical assessment of ‘Prostate Cancer' information on the internet, showed that overall quality was observed to be accurate, however majority of individual websites are unreliable as a source of information by itself for patients. Doctors and patients need to be aware of this ‘quality vs quantity' discrepancy when sourcing PCa information on the internet.

Facilitating patient communication through understanding their social media use: A comparison by age groups.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 71-71
Author(s):  
Shayan Kassirian ◽  
Lawson Eng ◽  
Chelsea Paulo ◽  
Ilana Geist ◽  
Alexander Magony ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Education ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Patient Communication ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Social Media

71 Background: Social media and internet is increasingly used by patients for cancer education, which can affect provider-patient communication. Usage habits of the adolescent-young adult (AYA; aged < 40 years), adult (age 40- < 65 years), and geriatric cancer populations (age 65+ years) are likely different. Methods: Using age-specific sampling, cancer patients across all disease sites cross-sectionally were asked to complete a survey of demographics, health status, and social media/online resource use for cancer education. Clinical information was abstracted. Results: Of 429 approached, 320 participated (126 AYA, 128 adults, 66 elderly). Males comprised 44%; 72% had post-secondary education; 31% had household incomes of > $100,000. Elderly patients were most likely to refuse participation (33% of elderly approached vs 16% AYA; p < 0.001), with the most common reason being "I do not use internet resources/don't plan on using them"(96% of all elderly refusals with available data). Among respondents, the proportion who utilized the internet for cancer education was 76%, 76% and 70% in AYA, adults, and elderly, respectively (p > 0.5). The use of social media tools in respondents was 49%, 40%, and 36%, respectively (p = 0.16 across age groups). While 75% of patients felt they could judge the quality of cancer-related information on the internet (no differences by age group, p > 0.5), a significantly lower 43% (p < 0.001) felt similarly confident to judge the quality of social media; AYA patients (49%) were numerically more likely to feel confident than seniors (36%; p = 0.16). Elderly were less likely to want online health record access (p = 0.015), treatment option (p = 0.042) and side effect education (p < 0.001), future care plan (p < 0.001) and wellness programs compared to others (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Although cancer patients used social media frequently, confidence is lacking on the quality of cancer information obtained (across all age groups), while elderly perceive fewer benefits of using online/social media related to their cancer. Guidelines for patients on how to assess quality and appropriately use social media could help facilitate patient-provider communication.

Use of the Internet to Obtain Cancer Information Among Cancer Patients at an Urban County Hospital

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (22) ◽  
pp. 4954-4962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Helft ◽  
Rachael E. Eckles ◽  
Cynthia Stair Johnson-Calley ◽  
Christopher K. Daugherty
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
County Hospital ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Internet Information ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Barriers To Use

Purpose To evaluate rates, predictors, and barriers to use of the Internet to obtain cancer information among a cohort of cancer patients at an urban county hospital. Patients and Methods Of 208 cancer patients approached, 200 patients completed a structured interview study examining Internet use, perceptions of the accuracy of Internet information, and barriers to use. Results Only 10% of participants reported using the Internet themselves to obtain cancer information. Another 21% reported exposure to Internet information through proxies. The most common barrier to Internet use cited was lack of Internet access, with 44% reporting that they would use the Internet to obtain cancer information if they had Internet access. Younger age and more years of formal education were significantly associated with Internet use, although race and income were not. Less education, African American race, and female sex were associated with lower estimates of the accuracy of Internet information. Fewer years of formal education was associated with increased likelihood of reporting confusion after reading Internet information. Conclusion Very few cancer patients in this study of a cohort of generally disadvantaged individuals used the Internet themselves to obtain cancer information, although many more desired to do so. Significant opportunities for Web-based interventions aimed at improving cancer care outcomes in this population of cancer patients exist. However, further study will be needed to determine how to make such intervention accessible, trustworthy, and understandable to the disadvantaged.

scholarly journals Accessing Web-Based Health Related Information by College Students

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nsele Mengi Nsuangani ◽  
Miguel A. Pérez
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
The Web

This study explored college students’ online activities at health Web sites, their perceptions of the quality and accuracy of Internet medical information, and their concerns about Internet privacy and security. The research took place at a medium sized university in central California during the Fall 2002 semester with a sample of 136 students. The study found that 67% of the sampled students had sought health information on the Internet; 12% had used Internet medical consultations services; 7% had bought pharmaceutical products online; 2% had joined Internet health support groups; 7% had used e-mail to communicate with healthcare providers; 18% had sought second opinions online; 35% expressed serious concern about the accuracy of health information posted on the Web; and 53% were concerned about the privacy and security of personal information posted on the Web. Gender and age were identified as influential in some of the issues raised in the research.

Parental Internet Search in the field of Pediatric Orthopaedics � results from a prospective, controlled study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian-Dominik Peterlein ◽  
Maren Bosch ◽  
Nina Timmesfeld ◽  
Susanne Fuchs-Winkelmann
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Foot Deformity ◽  
Internet Search ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Pediatric Orthopedic

BACKGROUND The internet has become one of the most important sources to obtain medical and health information. Parents, whose children are affected by systemic diseases, anomalies, deformities or further orthopaedic defective positions, use the internet to increase their knowledge. OBJECTIVE There is a lack of studies with focus of parental enquiries in the internet before contacting the pediatric orthopaedic surgeon. This study shows current trends and also allows a follow up. METHODS Parental internet search was evaluated using a standardized questionnaire. General habits of internet use, local hardware equipment, age and educational background of the parents were analyzed. In particular, parental use of general medical websites, use of search machines like Google or Yahoo or the use of homepages from support groups was asked. RESULTS A total of 521 questionnaires were completed, this corresponds to a response rate of 96%. One quarter of parents attended the consultation because of a gait anomaly or foot deformity, followed by children with DDH (20%), club foot (9%) and scoliosis (6%). 87% of parents use a Smartphone to get internet access, 68% a Laptop, 55% a Tablet and 45% a Laptop. Especially parents with children with clubfoot looked for health information online (80%), followed by scoliosis 69% (n=20), DDH 67% (n=66), foot deformity / gait anomaly 49% (n= 62). 98% of those using the internet for health medical purpose made use of a search engine, 99% (n=291) of internet users searched through Google, with 44% (n=129) of them describing their research helpful. Concerning use of social media responders of clubfoot children were again the most numerous in number (38%, n=18). 10 of them stated to have exchanged with other social media users and 60% of them evaluated social media as helpful. There were 35 parents who intended to discuss the results with their pediatric orthopedic surgeon. 84% of the responders who used the internet for health research would return to the internet. CONCLUSIONS This study documents that the internet is an important source of information for parents or caregivers in the field of pediatric orthopedics and that the meaning goes even further. Treating physicians will increasingly be confronted with the results of internet research. In particular, parents whose children suffer from club feet frequently research the Internet. CLINICALTRIAL The study was conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Declaration of Helsinki. Prior to the investigations, an approval was secured by the local board of ethics on 8 of September 2017 (AZ 107/17).

Interactive Communication Tools for Health Education

2011 ◽  
pp. 827-837
Author(s):  
Machi Suka ◽  
Katsumi Yoshida
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Interactive Communication ◽  
Leading Mode ◽  
Provide Health Education

This chapter introduces an interactive communication tool, the ‘HRA System’. The recent rapid penetration of the Internet has made it a leading mode for gathering and sharing health information. People who access information on the Internet differ considerably in their ‘health literacy’, or the ability to understand and act on health information. The HRA System was developed in an effort to promote health education among people with inadequate health literacy. The system was designed in accordance with the clients’ health literacy skills, as well as the clients’ computer skills. A number of healthcare providers have registered with our research group to provide health education using the HRA System to the general public. The authors provide some ideas regarding how to apply interactive communication technology to health education successfully.

scholarly journals HIV Information Acquisition and Use among Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Use the Internet: A Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Threats ◽  
Keosha Bond
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Information Acquisition ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Online Spaces ◽  
Sex With Men

BACKGROUND Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disproportionately affects young black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) in the United States. Electronic health (eHealth) and mobile health (mHealth) hold significant potential for supporting engagement in HIV prevention and care, and the delivery of HIV information to YBMSM. OBJECTIVE To investigate technology utilization, internet access, and HIV information acquisition and use among YBMSM. METHODS An online survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Survey findings informed the development of the interview guide. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the survey sample, and interview data was analyzed thematically using modified grounded theory methodologies. RESULTS Among the internet sample (N=83), the average age was 29.2 years, 41% of participants self-reported living with HIV, 43.4% were HIV-negative, and 15.6% were unsure of their HIV-status. Most participants (95%) acquired HIV information through the Internet while using a mobile phone. Online HIV information was intentionally sought from consumer health information websites (37.3%), government health information websites (30%), and social media sites (17%). Most men incidentally acquired HIV information via advertisements on social media sites and geospatial dating applications (65.39%), postings on social media sites from their online social ties (53.84%), and advertisements while browsing the Internet (48.72%). Despite the Internet being the top source of HIV information, healthcare providers were the most preferred (50.6%) and trusted (96%) source of HIV information. HIV information was used to facilitate the utilization of HIV prevention and treatment services. The qualitative sample included YBMSM across a range of ages and at different points of engagement in HIV prevention and treatment. Qualitative findings included the importance of the Internet as a primary source of HIV information. The Internet was used due to its ease of accessibility, the ability to maintain anonymity while searching for sensitive information, and to mitigate against stigma in healthcare settings. Participants used HIV information to assess their risk for HIV/AIDS, support their self-efficacy for HIV prevention and treatment, inform patient-doctor communication, and to learn about HIV prevention and treatment options. Men expressed concerns about their diminishing access to online spaces for HIV information exchange among YBMSM due to website censorship policies, and the “stigmatizing” tone of HIV information presented in mass media campaigns. CONCLUSIONS YBMSM in this sample had high utilization of the internet and mobile technologies for HIV information acquisition and use, but diminished access to their preferred and most trusted source of HIV information: healthcare providers. Future eHealth and mHealth HIV prevention and treatment interventions should support communication between patients and healthcare providers. Findings demonstrate the need for culturally appropriate HIV messaging, and online spaces for informational support exchange among YBMSM.

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