title: Nurses' use of online health information in medical wards.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper is a report of a study of nurses' access, use and evaluation of online health information in medical wards.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Online health information is commonly used by patients with chronic illness to support their education needs. Nurses have a critical role in assisting patients to access and use this information.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 540 nurses employed in medical wards was carried out in 2009. The response rate was 58·7% (293). The analytical approach included descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests of correlation and differences between groups. A content analysis was performed on the qualitative data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most respondents (78·6%) were satisfied with work Internet access and 58·2% believed that the use of online information improved care delivery. Nearly half the group was aware of patient misconceptions about their illness due to incorrect interpretations of online information, but only 24·4% checked if patients used online information. There was a significant association between assessing patients use and awareness of patient misconceptions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study highlight that while online resources add to education opportunities, the ongoing nursing assessment required to determine online information needs is not always incorporated into nursing practice. Patient misunderstandings of online material were also identified; developing patient competency in evaluating open access health information should now be recognized as an integral aspect of illness management education.
authors: School of Health and Social Services, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand. duncan.stewart@kcl.ac.uk
authors: Jean A
authors: JA
authors: Gilmour
authors: Annette
authors: A
authors: Huntington
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Broadbent
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Strong
authors: Mona
authors: M
authors: Hawkins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D058980:Information Literacy; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration; D055815:Young Adult