Survey of computer use for health topics by patients with head and neck cancer.
BACKGROUND
Computers are potentially powerful tools for patient education. E-health, which refers to health services and information delivered through the Internet, is a growing phenomenon within the health-care field. We sought to describe computer use and interest in e-health resources among patients with head and neck cancer.


METHODS
A questionnaire was administered to 207 patients with head and neck cancer attending oncology follow-up clinics at a single comprehensive cancer center.


RESULTS
Forty-eight percent had never used a computer; 43% used one more than once a week. E-health information had been sought by 31%. Likelihood to access e-health information increased with education and income but decreased with age (p < or = .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Many patients with head and neck cancer welcome information technology, but most prefer more traditional sources of information. Interventions to improve computer access and/or skills are largely undesired. Individuals seem to either embrace technology or not. In this respect, patients with head and neck cancer are similar to, rather than unique from, other patients with cancer.
Lea
Jane
J
Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, 5th Floor, Department of Radiation Oncology, 610 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9 Canada.
Lockwood
Gina
G
Ringash
Jolie
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires