title: Interest in internet lung cancer support among rural cardiothoracic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Internet may provide an alternative option for rural lung cancer patients who lack access to on-site cancer support; however, Internet access and use among rural patients is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous waiting-room survey was administered to all outpatient cardiothoracic surgery patients over 3 mo. Survey questions included age, gender, and diagnosis, possession of a home computer and Internet service, estimated Internet use, and use of the Internet for health information. Patients with known or suspected lung cancer were asked to indicate their interest in on-site and Internet cancer support.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 597 returned surveys (response rate 96%). The mean age was 64.6 y (SE 0.55), and 58% were men. Diagnoses included known or possible lung cancer (15.4%), lung disease (9.5%), heart disease (30.4%), other diagnoses (13.9%), and undetermined (30.6%). There were 343 patients (57.4%) with a home computer and 299 (50.1%) with home Internet service. Average Internet use was 8.5 h per wk (n = 298), and 225 patients used the Internet for health information. Of the 92 patients with lung cancer, 10 indicated interest in on-site support services while 37 expressed interest in Internet-based support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on survey results, a slight majority of rural patients have a home computer and Internet access. Internet use for health information appears relatively common. Overall interest for support services among lung cancer patients appears modest with a greater interest in Internet-based services compared with on-site support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9638, USA. jquin@siumed.edu
authors.forename: Jacquelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quin
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stams
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Phelps
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boley
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hazelrigg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013903:Thoracic Surgery