Use of an interactive web-based questionnaire to evaluate a breast cancer website.
OBJECTIVE
Health-related information should be tailored to patients' needs and requirements. Interactive features are required to allow refinement of information and feedback.


METHODS
A voluntary questionnaire was set up at to allow feedback from patients and website visitors.


RESULTS
A total of 1089 questionnaires were completed between Aug 2000 and Oct 2001. 77% (n = 799) had used the Internet previously to look up health-related information. With regard to the reasons visiting the site, 51% (n = 351) women indicated a recent breast problem while 26% (n = 267) had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. The most popular information types were benign disease (64%), malignant disease (62%) information on the current research field (67%), a discussion group (57%), operation details (53%), online consultations (62%), and the location of local clinics (57%).


CONCLUSIONS
An interactive feedback questionnaire is a useful way to ensure that health-related internet sites are tailored to their users' needs.
Teo
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Ayr Hospital, Ayrshire Glasgow, Scotland, UK. teonb@hotmail.com
Paton
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P
Kettlewell
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014584:User-Computer Interface