title: Survey results of Internet and computer usage in veterans with epilepsy.
abstract: After our study of a self-management intervention for epilepsy, we gathered data on Internet use and computer availability to assess the feasibility of computer-based interventions in a veteran population. Veterans were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire that gathered information regarding seizures/epilepsy in addition to demographic data, Internet use, computer availability, and interest in distance education regarding epilepsy. Three hundred twenty-four VA neurology clinic patients completed the survey. One hundred twenty-six self-reported a medical diagnosis of epilepsy and constituted the epilepsy/seizure group. For this group of veterans, the need for remote/distance-based interventions was validated given the majority of veterans traveled long distances (>2 hours). Only 51% of the epilepsy/seizure group had access to the Internet, and less than half (42%) expressed an interest in getting information on epilepsy self-management on their computer, suggesting that Web-based interventions may not be an optimal method for a self-management intervention in this population.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pramuka
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hendrickson
authors.forename: Anne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Van Cott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003201:Computers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care; D014728:Veterans