Evaluation of the health related Internet

use by primary care patients

Ionut Chiriac, Silvia Gonzalez, Carlos Bernades, Susana Vilalta,

Antoni Peris, Zeki Baba

WhyWhy

• The extensive availability of the Internet and the significant amount of online health-related data leads the patients towards this new resource.

• http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm

• Sometimes the patients share this information with their health care provider and we noticed that part of this information is inaccurate and doesn’t consider the background of users, which might confuse the patient in regard to his condition and the appropriate treatment.

• We consider developing a blog to provide proper information and create an online consultation for our patients to facilitate access and communication.

HowHow

• Self admnistered survey in the waiting areas of our center during

a 6-day period in march 2012

• Staff involved: GPs, nurses, pediatricians

• The survey included:

– Demographic data

– Chronic diseases

– Internet use

– The confidence on the information found and the likelihood

of discussing it with the healthcare provider.

– Possible interest in a blog designed by our team

WhatWhat

► 454 surveys (60% women)

5,3

15,111,3 8,7

4,9

32,2

16,9

5,6

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

15-25 26-45 46-65 >65

Female

Male

Age groups and gender

►39,9% of all have chronic diseases

Studies and gender

Internet useInternet use

60% of our sample uses internet (39.1% W, 21.6% M)

4,8

17,2

9,9

3,76,2

41,8

15,8

0,70

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

15-25 26-45 46-65 >65

Male

Female

Reasons for internet useReasons for internet use

No significant difference were found between ages and gender for reasons of internet use

Percentages of patients that have confidence in the information found, that share the information during the visit and the interest in the blog by gender

Percentages of patients that have confidence in the information found, that share the information during the visit and the interest in blog by age groups

A high number of female patients with at least a high-school degree look for online medical information .

They trust and share their findings with the health care providers.

The patients with chronic diseases make a lesser use of the Internet for medical information.

Considering the interest expressed by our patients we are working on developing a medical blog to provide accurate information and cover their needs, facilitating the interaction.

ConclusionsConclusions

¡Muchas gracias!

Moltes gràcies!

Thank you very much!

Merci Beaucoup!

Muito Obrigado!

Grazie Mille!

Mulţumesc Foarte Mult!

Ezkerrik Azko!

ichiriac@casap.cat