title: Use of the internet and of the NHS direct telephone helpline for medical information by a cognitive function clinic population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Internet websites and medical telephone helplines are relatively new and huge resources of medical information ("cybermedicine" and "telemedicine", respectively) accessible to the general public without prior recourse to a doctor.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure use of internet websites and of the NHS Direct telephone helpline as sources of medical information by patients and their families and/or carers attending a cognitive function clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients seen by one consultant neurologist over a six-month period in the Cognitive Function Clinic at the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, a regional neuroscience centre in Liverpool, UK.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than 50% of patients and families/carers had internet access; 27% had accessed relevant information, but none volunteered this. 82% expressed interest in, or willingness to access, websites with relevant medical information if these were suggested by the clinic doctor. Although 61% had heard of the NHS Direct telephone helpline, only 10% of all patients had used this service and few calls related to the reason for attendance at the Cognitive Function Clinic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Internet access and use is common in a cognitive function clinic population. Since information from internet websites may shape health beliefs and expectations of patients and families/carers, appropriately or inappropriately, it may be important for the clinic doctor to inquire about these searches. Since most would use websites suggested by the doctor, a readiness to provide addresses for appropriate sites may prove helpful.
authors.affiliation: Cognitive Function Clinic, Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LJ, UK. larner-a@wcnn-tr.nwest.nhs.uk
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Larner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D015277:Hotlines / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D013222:State Medicine