title: A Web-based patient information system--identification of patients' information needs.
abstract: Research described here was carried out to explore possibilities of creating a web-based patient information system within the areas of thoracic surgery. Data were collected to distinguish and assess the actual information needs of patients (1) prior to surgical treatment, (2) before discharge, and (3) 8 months after the hospitalization using a follow-up questionnaire. Interviews were performed with patients undergoing heart surgery. The study included material of 19 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (12) and valve replacement (7), age 35-74, 13 males and 6 females with nonacademic background. Patient satisfaction with given information was high. Analysis of the interviews held at the hospital resulted in seven different categories describing and giving a picture of the patients' information needs and apprehension of received care. The results found in this study can be used as guidance for developers in their design and development process of a health information system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer and Information Science, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden. linda.hassling@ida.liu.se
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hassling
authors.forename: Ankica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Babic
authors.forename: Urban
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Lönn
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Casimir-Ahn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000523:psychology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors