Use of the Internet as a resource of health information by patients: a clinic-based study in the Indian population.
J Postgrad Med
;
2005 Apr-Jun; 51(2): 116-8
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-115838
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
There is abundant literature documenting that the Internet is fast changing the way patients access health-related information, learn about their illnesses, and make healthcare-related decisions. However, there is hardly any data regarding Indian patients accessing health-related information available on the Internet.AIMS:
To determine patients' use of the Internet as a medical information resource and to determine their experience, their perceptions of the quality and reliability of the information available.SETTING:
The study was carried out in the outpatient clinic of an urban, tertiary care private sector hospital in November 2004. MATERIAL ANDMETHODS:
Our survey instrument consisted of an anonymous single-page questionnaire. Eight hundred and eighty consecutive adults aged 18-70 years, attending the general outpatient clinic of a tertiary care private hospital completed the questionnaire.RESULTS:
Two hundred and eighty-one (32%) patients acknowledged surfing the Internet, while 75% (212/281) of them acknowledged that they accessed health-related information. Amongst those who accessed the Internet, 130 (61%) found the information on the net to be of average quality. Almost all patients (211/212) felt that the information served the purpose and 95% (201/212) also found also found it to be reliable. Only 7% (21/281) patients were aware of the presence of any quality standards pertaining to health information sites and none could name any accreditation standard.CONCLUSIONS:
One in four patients attending the private set-up is using the Internet for health information. A majority of patients find the information on the net reliable and of good quality. Awareness about health information quality standards is a rarity.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Outpatient Clinics, Hospital
/
Quality of Health Care
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Patient Education as Topic
/
Surveys and Questionnaires
/
Adolescent
/
Adult
Type of study:
Practice guideline
/
Prognostic study
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
J Postgrad Med
Year:
2005
Type:
Article
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