Use of computers and the Internet for health information by patients with epilepsy.
The purpose of this study was to describe computer and Internet use among an online group and a clinic-based group of people with epilepsy. Greater than 95% of the online group and 60% of the clinic group have access to computers and the Internet. More than 99% of the online group and 57% of the clinic group used the Internet to find health information. A majority of people reported being likely to employ an Internet-based self-management program to control their epilepsy. About 43% reported searching for general information on epilepsy, 30% for medication, 23% for specific types of epilepsy, and 20% for treatment. This study found that people with epilepsy have access to computers and the Internet, desire epilepsy-specific information, and are receptive to online health information on how to manage their epilepsy.
Escoffery
Cam
C
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. cescoff@sph.emory.edu
Diiorio
Colleen
C
Yeager
Katherine A
KA
McCarty
Frances
F
Robinson
Elise
E
Reisinger
Elizabeth
E
Henry
Thomas
T
Koganti
Archana
A
D000328:Adult; D003201:Computers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D004827:Epilepsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009862:Online Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*