The Internet as an emerging patient education tool among African American men with prostate cancer: an exploratory study.
The lives of African American men with prostate cancer are greatly influenced by the information available to them, some of which is accessed on the Internet. Research indicates that the Internet can enhance consumer health knowledge but has not reached socioeconomic groups at highest risk for health disparities, such as African American men with prostate cancer. In this study, focus groups were used to explore the perceptions and uses of the Internet as a patient education tool among 39 African American men aged 39 years and older with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Nineteen (49%) participants reported using the Internet, 15 (38%) reported no use but indicated it was used on their behalf, and 5 (13%) reported no use and no use on their behalf. The findings revealed varying degrees of Internet use for information and social support. Prostate cancer diagnosis, poor patient-doctor communications, and accessibility influenced Internet use. Accessibility related more to lack of ease and familiarity with Internet use than lack of computer access. With training and awareness, the Internet has potential as a patient education tool among African American men with prostate cancer.
Wallington
Sherrie Flynt
SF
Dana Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. sherrie_wallington@dfci.harvard.edu
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000639:trends*; D004522:Educational Status; D017144:Focus Groups; D005544:Forecasting; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008490:Medical Informatics; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors