What do we mean by Internet access? A framework for health researchers.
Much is written about Internet access, Web access, Web site accessibility, and access to online health information. The term access has, however, a variety of meanings to authors in different contexts when applied to the Internet, the Web, and interactive health communication. We have summarized those varied uses and definitions and consolidated them into a framework that defines Internet and Web access issues for health researchers. We group issues into two categories: connectivity and human interface. Our focus is to conceptualize access as a multicomponent issue that can either reduce or enhance the public health utility of electronic communications.
Bush
Nigel E
NE
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, USA. nbush@fhcrc.org
Bowen
Deborah J
DJ
Wooldridge
Jean
J
Ludwig
Abi
A
Meischke
Hendrika
H
Robbins
Robert
R
D022126:Access to Information; D035843:Biomedical Research; D003469:Culture; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution* / Q000639:trends; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014584:User-Computer Interface