Age-related trends in utilization of the internet and electronic communication devices for coordination of cancer care in elderly patients.
OBJECTIVE
In this rapidly changing electronic era, we implemented a study to define age dependent variations in access and use of internet and electronic devices in the exchange of healthcare related information (HRI) and coordination of clinical care (CCC) among elderly patients with cancer.


METHODS
Data was collected through independently completed surveys after obtaining IRB approval in a single institution cancer center over a 4-month period. Questions regarding internet access and use of electronic media to obtain health information and coordinate care were distributed. The sample was divided in two groups based upon the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of geriatric patients: <65 y/o (group A) and ≥65 y/o (group B).


RESULTS
One hundred and twenty-six surveys were analyzed with 70 patients in group A and 56 patients in group B. Access to the internet and use of email was higher in the group A (77% and 71%) vs. group B (36% and 33%, p < 0.001). The younger group felt more comfortable using the internet when compared to the older group (70% vs. 40%, p = 0.01). Patients in group B demonstrated a strong preference for paper copy based HRI and phone calls to CCC than text messages or emails (73% and 95%, p < 0.001). A transition zone between the ages of 65 and 70 years was defined to identify patients with increased reluctance to use internet and electronic devices to exchange HRI and CCC.


CONCLUSIONS
The data supports that there is an age-defined underutilization of internet and electronic devices to exchange HRI and CCC. Characterization of this age-dependent transition zone will enable clinicians to identify patients who may not interface well with electronic communication strategies, and to improve delivery of HRI and CCC for the elderly.
Department of Surgery, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.
Abdul
A
Saied
Department of Medicine, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.
Steven J
SJ
Sherry
Cancer Center, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.
Donna J
DJ
Castricone
Cancer Center, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.
Kathleen M
KM
Perry
Department of Surgery, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.
Steven C
SC
Katz
Department of Surgery, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA. Electronic address: psomasundar@chartercare.org.
Ponnandai
P
Somasundar
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D034742:Electronic Mail / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
Cancer care; Communication; Elderly; Email; Internet