Health-related information gathering practices in breast and colorectal specialty clinics: the end of the electronic divide?
BACKGROUND
Health-related information can help patients understand their disease process and make informed decisions. We hypothesize that with the increased availability of Web-based resources, sociodemographic factors no longer impact Internet use among patients.


METHODS
Study-specific surveys were administered to a convenience cohort of patients seen in the breast and colorectal specialty clinics at a single academic institution between August 2008 and February 2009.


RESULTS
One hundred ninety-four surveys were returned (response rate 80%). Median age was 53 years (range 19-88) with 131 (75%) females. Twenty-six percent of patients were college graduates and 59% reported an annual income greater than $50,000. There was no association between Internet use and age, gender, income, or educational level.


CONCLUSIONS
Web-based information is being increasingly used by patients irrespective of their demographic characteristics. These resources can therefore be used to educate patients about their disease, treatment options, and health maintenance.
Department of Surgery, SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA.
E Dawn
ED
Wietfeldt
Imran
I
Hassan
Angela
A
Johnson
Catherine
C
Veeder
Maggie
M
Boehler
Gary L
GL
Dunnington
Jan
J
Rakinic
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001941:Breast Diseases; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult