Internet use by radiation oncology patients: a pilot study

Parent's attitude toward use of internet for child's oral health and treatment

BACKGROUND

Widespread use of internet in the modern era has allowed increased access to seek medical and dental education by self-education. However, limited evidence is reported regarding the use of internet to gather oral health information by patients reporting to dental hospital in a centrally located institute of New Delhi, India.

AIM

The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluate the parental attitude toward the use of internet related to child's oral health and treatment.

DESIGN

The data was collected from 500 patients from the Outpatient Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi. A self-administered questionnaire with open ended questions assessing parental attitude toward the use of internet for oral health information was designed, and patients willing to participate were included.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 parents selected randomly from the Out Patient Department. The participants were given the questionnaire which assessed their attitude towards use of internet related to child's oral health and treatment. The data was collected and statistical analysis was performed.

RESULTS

86% reported to have high school education, 7% to have middle school education, 3% to be diploma holders, 2% to be graduates and postgraduates, and only 2% as professionals. 56.1% of the participants use internet to gather information on oral health, whereas only 41.9% reported that they have access to internet but do not use to search information related to oral health and disease. 26.1% of the participants often search information on internet before consulting a doctor, and 29.3% discuss treatment plan after searching from internet with their doctor.

CONCLUSION

Since the use of internet by younger adults seeking information on oral health seems to be more prevalent among educated people, less prevalence is reported in this study. Majority of the participants were aware regarding the harmful effects of such information and also reported that treatment or medication searched on internet made their problem worse than before.

The Influence of Race on the Attitudes of Radiation Oncology Patients Towards Clinical Trial Enrollment

OBJECTIVES

Enrollment of adult cancer patients in clinical trials remains low, particularly in the minority population. Understanding patient attitudes towards clinical trials during the recruitment process may enhance accrual. Unfortunately, data describing patient attitudes towards clinical trials are limited, particularly in the radiation oncology clinic setting.

METHODS

A piloted questionnaire assessing basic demographics and attitudes toward clinical trials was offered in 2 radiation oncology clinics between April 2003 and October 2003. The questionnaire was completed by 166 patients. The mean age of the patients completing the questionnaire was 56 years (range, 15-84 years). Of the 166 patients included in the analysis, 108 (65%) were White. The most common cancer diagnoses included prostate (19%), head and neck (16%), and breast (14%).

RESULTS

There was no statistical difference between Whites and non-Whites regarding their interest in learning about clinical trials (84.3% versus 84.9%, P = 0.92); nor was there a significant difference in the rate of previous or current trial enrollment (21.3% versus 34.0%, P = 0.08). White patients were more likely to gather information about clinical trials from the Internet (30.6% versus 11.3%, P = 0.007), and they were more likely to use physicians as a source of this information (50.0% versus 34.0%, P = 0.05). Non-White patients were more likely to obtain information about clinical trials from other patients (24.5% versus 12.0%, P = 0.04). In addition, more non-White patients believed they had been treated on clinical trials without their knowledge (21.6% versus 9.3%, P = 0.032). Patients differed somewhat in their expectations of clinical trials. More non-Whites indicated that they would need a >50% chance of benefiting from a trial (64.4% versus 45.0%, P = 0.03) to enroll on that trial, though there were no statistical differences in outlook towards potential toxicities associated with treatment on a clinical trial.

CONCLUSIONS

Minority patients historically enroll in clinical trials at a significantly lower rate. Our study of radiation oncology patients documents significant differences in attitudes towards clinical trials between Whites and non-Whites. Understanding the differences in attitudes may allow physicians to overcome barriers that would otherwise hinder the enrollment of non-White patients into clinical trials.

Prevalence of internet usage and access to health information among dental school outpatients

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Internet access and use among dental school outpatients to evaluate the type of information they seek and their views regarding health-related information. A total of 400 consecutive outpatients were surveyed. A questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics and Internet use. Users were asked about the frequency and location of their Internet access. Access to health-related information and medical and dental topics of interest was recorded. Participants expressed their opinions on the usefulness of the information and the improvements that might be needed. A total of 33.0% of the participants were Internet users. Those in the 15- to 24-year age group were male, unmarried, and at school and were much more likely to use the Internet than their counterparts. Twelve percent of the users were seeking online health information. Dental information was sought by 16.7% (n = 8) of online health seekers. Those in the 25- to 34-year age group were married, employed, and who have a university degree and were much more likely to seek health information on the Internet than their counterparts. Currently, persons seeking online health information in this population in Turkey are a small minority. It is important to respond to the specific health needs of the Internet users to post accurate information.

Internet use by patients with prostate cancer undergoing radiotherapy

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the amount of Internet use, type of Internet use, and factors that predict Internet use by patients with prostate cancer.

METHODS

A questionnaire evaluating the use of the Internet was given to 295 patients undergoing radiotherapy for prostate cancer in three different settings: an academic center (AC), a Veterans Affairs center (VA), and a community hospital. The study included 171 AC patients (58%), 104 VA patients (35%), and 20 community hospital patients (7%).

RESULTS

The response rate to the questionnaire was greater than 99%. Overall, 128 (43%) of 295 patients had a home computer. This differed among the institutions, with 64% of AC patients and only 5% of VA patients having a home computer (P <0.0001). Overall, 94 (32%) of 295 patients used the Internet to access cancer information, with 48% of AC patients and 8% of VA patients using the Internet (P <0.0001). Seventeen percent of black patients (n = 113) had a home computer compared with 62% of white patients (n = 175; P <0.0001). Equal access to computers did not influence Internet use because, among those patients who had access to computers, black patients used the Internet less than did white patients (32% versus 61%, P <0.0001). Men 65 years of age or younger were more likely to use the Internet (45%) than those older than 65 years (28%; P = 0.004). Patients used many sites to access different types of information.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant number of patients with prostate cancer access the Internet to obtain cancer information. Urologists and radiation oncologists should be familiar with this important resource to help patients access appropriate material.

Prevalence of South Australia's online health seekers

OBJECTIVE

To determine the proportion of South Australians accessing online health care information, predictive characteristics of online health seekers, nature of the information sought and consumer behaviour.

METHODS

A probability-based survey of 3,027 South Australians, aged 15 years and older, as part of the Spring 2000 South Australian Health Omnibus.

RESULTS

Internet access decreases with age, while the prevalence of online health seekers is constant (26% to 28%) among people aged between 15 and 54 years. Predictive characteristics of online health seekers include gender, age, education and income. Most commonly sought information is the cause or description of disease (60%). Consumers use online health information as a second opinion (19%), discuss it with their doctor or pharmacist (16%), or change their health care management (11%).

CONCLUSIONS

The Australian prevalence of online health seekers is likely to be slightly higher than 21%.

IMPLICATIONS

The Intemet can deliver preventative and clinical health information to a critical mass of Australians, but poorer and older Australians may be unable to access it.