Relationship of Internet Health Information Use With Patient Behavior and Self-Efficacy: Experiences of Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients Who Contact the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service

Abstract

This study examines the relationship of Internet health information use with patient behavior and self-efficacy among 498 newly diagnosed cancer patients. Subjects were classified by types of Internet use: direct use (used Internet health information themselves), indirect use (used information accessed by friends or family), and non-use (never accessing Internet information). Subjects were recruited from callers of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) Cancer Information Service, Atlantic Region. They were classified by type of Internet use at enrollment and interviewed by telephone after 8 weeks. There were significant relationships among Internet use and key study variables: subject characteristics, patient task behavior, and self-efficacy. Subjects' Internet use changed significantly from enrollment to 8 week follow-up; 19% of nonusers and indirect users moved to a higher level of Internet use. Significant relationships also were found among Internet use and perceived patient-provider relationship, question asking, and treatment compliance. Finally, Internet use was also significantly associated with self-efficacy variables (confidence in actively participating in treatment decisions, asking physicians questions, and sharing feelings of concern). The results of this study show that patients who are newly diagnosed with cancer perceive the Internet as a powerful tool, both for acquiring information and for enhancing confidence to make informed decisions.

The Acceptance of e-Health Solutions Among Patients with Chronic Respiratory Conditions

“…44 The effect of higher education has also been reported for specific patient populations by many authors. 35,45,47,[49][50][51][52] This effect was also seen in surveys carried out in the general population. 30,53,54 The surveys conducted among patients with malignant or chronic conditions do not confirm the effect of the severity of symptoms, disease stage, or disease duration on the health-related use of the Internet.…”

“…The influence of younger age on the use or acceptance of the Internet for health-related activities was seen among patients afflicted with cancer, 43,[45][46][47][48] inflammatory bowel disease, 36 and general somatic disorders. 44 The effect of higher education has also been reported for specific patient populations by many authors.…”

Investigation of Cancer Patients’ Information Sources, Information Needs and Expectations of Health Professionals

“…(2006), tanı almış kanser hastalarının %67'sinin internet yolu ile bilgi edindiğini bulmuştur. [26] Eysenbach (2003), kanser hastalarının internet kullanım oranlarının yüksek olduğunu vurgulamıştır. [27] Günümüzde internet kullanımı günden güne artmaktadır.…”

Online Patient Education for Chronic Disease Management: Consumer Perspectives

“…Newly diagnosed cancer patients tend to perceive the Web as a powerful tool, both for acquiring information and for enhancing the confidence required to make informed decisions [19]. Another study showed that persons with coronary artery disease reported an increased confidence in their choice of treatment after viewing an interactive educational video online [20].…”