학술논문

Information needs and internet use in urological and breast cancer patients
Document Type
Academic Journal
Source
Supportive Care in Cancer. February 2014, Vol. 22 Issue 2, p545, 8 p.
Subject
Care and treatment
Analysis
Usage
Surveys
Internet
Internet -- Analysis -- Usage
Medical personnel -- Surveys -- Analysis -- Usage
Cancer patients -- Care and treatment -- Surveys -- Analysis -- Usage
Breast cancer -- Care and treatment -- Analysis -- Usage
Language
English
ISSN
0941-4355
Abstract
Introduction Information seeking has been demonstrated to play a critical role in individuals' efforts to cope with the disruption of the quality of life associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment. [...]
Aims This study aims to describe the information needs of urological and breast cancer patients and factors related to use of the Internet as a source of health information. Methodology A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out, using individual questionnaire-based interviews held during the oncology appointments of 169 patients with urological cancer and 100 with breast cancer at the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada, Spain. The variables studied were use of the Internet as a source of health information, health status, patient's role in the decision-making process, information sources, satisfaction with the health-care system, type of information received, and Internet use. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out. Results Breast cancer patients are more concerned with long-term results and the effects on their family and personal life. They are also interested in the experiences of other patients and support groups or staff who could help them to cope with their illness. The information needs of patients with urological cancer are linked to short-term alternative treatments, their sex life, keeping healthy, and exercise. More clinical aspects, such as tests and experiments linked to their treatment, are not a frequent information need. The factors linked to use of the Internet as a source of health information are younger age, high level of education, the patient's active role in the decision-making process, and undergoing more aggressive treatment. There is no link between using the Internet as a source of health information and level of satisfaction with the health-care system, or with Internet use in general. Conclusion Patients need additional information about their illness on top of that given to them by health-care staff, and they often use the Internet to find it. The greatest information need is related to the effects of their illness on their day-to-day life. Health-care staff should provide patients with advice about reliable websites and how to search the Internet. Keywords Breast cancer * Urological cancer * Patients * Internet * Information needs