Medical information on the Internet (original) (raw)
Related papers
This article presents some preliminary findings concerning patient's use of the Internet for medical information. The aim is to increase our understanding of patient's on-line activities using the perspective of Virtual Communities. The study reported takes the point of departure in Internet use by patient associations and their contact with patients. This approach provides an opportunity to analyse a larger and more varying group of patients and their use of the Internet for medical information. The results of the study points at a number of opportunities and challenges both for patients as individuals but also for health care providers and society in a larger perspective.
INTERNET-BASED MEDICAL INFORMATION SOURCES, RESOURCES AND STRATEGIES FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
The rapid proliferation of information the internet era has important implications for the education of health professionals including medical professionals just as sources of information available via the internet are increasing exponentially. (Thanuskodi, 2010). This comes with a steady increase in internet use for education and for research. Nigeria has a large educational system comprising of colleges and universities along with several institution of higher learning and centres of excellence. The Internet is described by Ayo (2001) as a global collection of many different types of computers and computer networks interconnected together for the purpose of communication, information transfer and resource sharing. It consists of a prowling collection of computer networks that spans the globe, connecting government, military, educational and commercial institutions, as well as private citizens to a wide range of computer services, resources and information, thus reducing the whole world to a global village (Ayo, 2001). The Internet provides the platform for web-resources and databases of information resources and has emerged as an important source of evidence and diagnosis for medical and health practitioners. Many scholarly journals, government publications, and other important materials on medicine and health related issues are now available online. Some sites provide links to hundreds of journals and newspaper as well as offer virtual encyclopedias of information on topics ranging from the latest medical research to developments in the entertainment industry. The internet has the most economical, easy, instant and vast resource of current information and has served as an ideal tool for medical literature search, physician education, patient education and telemedicine. Organizations, journals, educational resources, academic departments, patient-oriented, corporate and index sites individual and group practices are some of the categories of website. Internet based communication are evolving at a tremendous rate, hence it is very difficult to determine the size and distribution of medical professional who have access to internet (Jagboro, 2003). The Internet facilitates, clarifies and enables the exchanges of information, knowledge and news which can vary from local news to business or education development to health. Moreover, the use of modern computer and internet technology will result in more effective medical education (Gouth, 2008). However, Hennek (2000) reiterated that evaluating internet sources can be difficult for several reasons, not the least of which is the sheer number of sites currently available. Other obstacles to accurate evaluation are also apparent. Also, quality internet searching for the best sources goes beyond merely " finding something in a wit-or-mis way " and is definitely more difficult and requires much more patience and constant updating of techniques than does traditional library research. Abstract : This study investigated the medical-based sources and resources available on the web. It presented a brief description of some medical resources and sources including databases and guides available on the Internet for medical research. The findings of the study revealed that the web has a variety of information resources for medical research in large quantity while also affirming the cost saving and ease of access attribute of these resources. Problem of infrastructure and lack of adequate search skills on the part of the of the researcher were among the major factors identified as major constraint to effective search and retrieval of medical resources from the web.
Patient education and …, 2009
Objective: Many patients use the Internet to obtain health-related information. It is assumed that healthrelated Internet information (HRII) will change the consultation practice of physicians. This article explores the strategies, benefits and difficulties from the patients' and physicians' perspective. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted independently with 32 patients and 20 physicians. Data collection, processing and analysis followed the core principles of Grounded Theory. Results: Patients experienced difficulties in the interpretation of the personal relevance and the meaning of HRII. Therefore they relied on their physicians' interpretation and contextualisation of this information. Discussing patients' concerns and answering patients' questions were important elements of successful consultations with Internet-informed patients to achieve clarity, orientation and certainty. Discussing HRII with patients was appreciated by most of the physicians but misleading interpretations by patients and contrary views compared to physicians caused conflicts during consultations. Conclusion: HRII is a valuable source of knowledge for an increasing number of patients. Patients use the consultation to increase their understanding of health and illness. Determinants such as a patientcentred consultation and timely resources are decisive for a successful, empowering consultation with Internet-informed patients. Practical implications: If HRII is routinely integrated in the anamnestic interview as a new source of knowledge, the Internet can be used as a link between physicians' expertise and patient knowledge. The critical appraisal of HRII during the consultation is becoming a new field of work for physicians. ß
Patients’ use of health-related information from the Internet is increasing at an exponential rate. Although we have some information about how health professionals use the Internet (Roscoe, 1998; Wilson, 1999) we know little about how patients utilise this information. Some patients may actively seek information to assume more responsibility for their health. However, others may feel forced into doing so because of failing confidence in health care provision. Health professionals have the potential to assist patients to make sense of health information from the Internet; however, they may not necessarily welcome this role (Wilson, 1999; Eberhart-Phillips et al., 2000). This study aims to evaluate patient use of such information in primary care and to establish how this can be directed in the future. 851 adult patients from general practice were surveyed about the health information they use, including the Internet. 50 patients from the survey were then randomly selected for interview. Abstracts 242 International Journal of Consumer Studies, 27, 3, June 2003, pp218–251 © 2003 Blackwell Publishing Ltd 12 health care professionals were also interviewed about how patients use the Internet and the impact this has on consultations. The majority of patients (80%) prefer to use their GP as a source of health information. The remaining sources of information received significantly lower ratings. However, the Internet was the second most preferred source of information (7%). Of those using the Internet about two thirds felt more prepared and able to participate in decision-making about treatments. The majority of patients rely on their doctor for health information. However, many patients actively use the Internet as an information source. The use of Internet information during consultations is on the increase, and although patients are positive about such use, doctors do not necessarily welcome Internet informed patients. It is now necessary to identify the training needs of health care professionals for dealing appropriately with Internet informed patients.
Brief Report: What types of internet guidance do patients want from their physicians
Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2005
OBJECTIVES: To understand what patients expect from physicians regarding information seeking on the Internet. DESIGN: Self-administered survey. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Waiting rooms of 4 community-based primary care offices. MEASUREMENTS/MAIN RESULTS: Of 494 patients invited to participate, 330 completed the survey for a response rate of 67%. Of 177 respondents who used the Internet for health information, only 15% agreed that physicians should ask them about their Internet searches. Most (62%) agreed that physicians should recommend specific web sites where patients can learn more about their health care. CONCLUSIONS: Primary care physicians should recognize that many patients would like guidance as they turn to the Internet for medical information. Physicians can utilize quality assessment tools and existing resources that facilitate referring patients to authoritative, commercial-free, patient-oriented medical information on the Internet.
Patient's Use of Medical Information on the Internet: Opportunities and Challenges
Doing IT together, Proceedings of the 23 rd …, 2000
This article presents some preliminary findings concerning patient's use of the Internet for medical information. The aim is to increase our understanding of patient's on-line activities using the perspective of Virtual Communities. The study reported takes the point of departure in Internet use by ...
Biomedical digital libraries, 2006
Background: The Internet is the world's largest network of information, communication and services. Although the Internet is widely used in medicine and has made significant impact in research, training and patient care, few studies had explored the extent to which Nigerian physicians use Internet resources for patient care. The objective of this study was to assess physicians' use of the Internet for health information for patient care. Method: 172 physicians at the University College hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria; completed a 31item, anonymous, standardized questionnaire. The Epi-Info software was used for data analysis. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 31.95 years (SD 4.94). Virtually all (98%) the respondents had used the Internet; 76% accessed it from cyber cafes. E-mail was the most commonly used Internet service (64%). Ninety percent of the respondents reported they had obtained information from the Internet for patient care; of this number, 76.2% had searched a database. The database most recently searched was MEDLINE/PubMed in 99% of cases. Only 7% of the respondents had ever searched the Cochrane Library. More than half (58.1%) perceived they had no confidence to download full-text articles from online sources such as the Health Internetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI). Multiple barriers to increased use of the Internet were identified including poor availability of broadband (fast connection speed) Internet access, lack of information searching skills, cost of access and information overload. Conclusion: Physicians' use of the Internet for health information for patient care was widespread but use of evidenced-based medicine resources such as Cochrane Library, Up-to-date and Clinical Evidence was minimal. Awareness and training in the use of EBM resources for patient care is needed. Introduction of EBM in the teaching curriculum will enhance the use of EBM resources by physicians for patient care.