scholarly journals Oncology Patient Interest in the Use of New Technologies to Manage Their Disease: Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Collado-Borrell ◽  
Vicente Escudero-Vilaplana ◽  
Antonio Calles ◽  
Estela Garcia-Martin ◽  
Belen Marzal-Alfaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Professional ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Oncology Patients ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Information and communication technologies (ICTs) in oncology can revolutionize the medical care of cancer patients. ICTs can promote patients’ empowerment and real-time disease monitoring. There is limited information about the impact of ICTs in cancer patients or their level of interest in using these tools for greater management of their condition. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to understand the ICT usage profile in hematology-oncology patients to identify their needs and determine their level of interest in these technologies as a means of managing their disease. METHODS A 28-item questionnaire was drawn up by a multidisciplinary team including pharmacists and oncologists. The questions were organized into 3 blocks, which were as follows: block A—sociodemographic characteristics; block B—use of ICTs when searching for health-related information; and block C—usage preferences for health apps. Hematology-oncology patients receiving treatment between May and July 2017 were included. A paper copy of the questionnaire was handed over to patients in either the day hospital or the pharmaceutical care consultancy in pharmacy services. RESULTS A total of 650 questionnaires were handed out, with a participation of 94.0% (611/650). Patient sociodemographic characteristics were as follows: mean age was 57.8 years (age range: 19-91). Of 611 participants, 40.7% (249/611) had a university education, and 45.1% (276/611) of participants reported their overall state of health to be good. Results from use of ICTs when searching for health-related information were as follows: 87.1% (532/611) of participants were interested in being informed about health-related matters. Of all participants, 75.5% (532/611) sought information from health professionals and 61.3% (375/611) on the internet. Before going to their doctor’s appointment, 21.8% (133/611) of patients looked up information about their disease or treatment on the internet. This access to the internet rose to 50.9% (311/611) after their first medical appointment with their oncologist. Usage preferences for health apps were as follows: 82.7% (505/611) had a smartphone, whereas 20.3% (124/611) had a health app installed. Overall, 81.5% (498/611) would use an app if their health professional recommended it to them, but 39.6% (242/611) were not willing to pay for it. CONCLUSIONS The hematology-oncology patients showed a great deal of interest in searching for health-related information by means of ICTs, especially using smartphones and apps. The issues that drew the most interest in terms of apps were appointment management, advice on disease management, and communication with health professionals. Free access to these features and the recommendation by a health professional are important factors when it comes to their use. Therefore, the health care provider is a key element in the recommendation of ICTs, providing their knowledge and experience concerning their correct usage.

An Integrated Approach Towards Developing Quality Mobile Health Apps for Cancer

2019 ◽  
pp. 46-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelina Kouroubali ◽  
Lefteris Koumakis ◽  
Haridimos Kondylakis ◽  
Dimitrios G. Katehakis
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Coordinated Care ◽  
Cancer Disease ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Mobile Health Apps

The ever-growing demand for acquiring, managing, and exploiting patient health-related information has led to the development of several mobile health apps to support cancer patients. This chapter analyzes the clinical and technological characteristics of mobile apps enabling cancer patients to securely record, manage, and share their information online. It discusses issues relevant to increasing patient experience and acceptance, improving adherence to treatment, and effective support of coordinated care. Outcomes of recent research projects relevant to end user digital engagement, trust, interoperability, and usability/adaptability lead to an integrated approach towards developing quality mobile health apps. Improving quality of life and wellbeing in a secure and safe manner that respects the patients' privacy seems to be the key challenge. Regulation, standardization, and interoperability together with the existence of useful, accurate, and reliable tools for active patient engagement are imperative for efficient cancer disease management.

scholarly journals The Impact of Internet Usage and Knowledge-Intensive Activities on Households’ Healthcare Expenditures

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 4470
Author(s):  
Marco Benvenuto ◽  
Alexandru Avram ◽  
Francesco Vincenzo Sambati ◽  
Marioara Avram ◽  
Carmine Viola
Keyword(s):  
Impulse Response Function ◽  
Internet Usage ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Healthcare Expenditures ◽  
Vector Autoregressive ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Reading Key ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines the impact of the internet usage and knowledge intensive activities on households’ healthcare expenditures Similarly, the paper aims to recognize and understand, from a value-creation perspective, the correlation between: internet access of households (IA), individuals frequently using the internet (IU), individuals searching on internet for health-related information (HI), payments made by households for healthcare (PHH), expressed as euro per inhabitant and employment in knowledge-intensive activities (KIA). The approach utilized in the present study consists of two steps. First, a theoretical framework was conducted to determine the existing relationship between major variables. Next, the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) approach was applied in a case study at European level to prove the three hypothesis we consider. By analyzing the connection between the major variables, a positive and long- lasting impulse response function was revealed, followed by an ascending trend. This suggests that a self-multiplying effect is being generated; and it reasonable to assume that the more individuals use the Internet, the more electronic acquisitions occur. We can thus reasonably conclude that the improvement of the internet usage and knowledge intensive activities on households’ healthcare expenditures process is strongly dependent on people’s capability. Improving IU and KIA is the new reading key in the decision-making process in health system approach.

eHealth Systems, Their Use and Visions for the Future

2009 ◽  
pp. 346-353
Author(s):  
Pirkko Nykänen
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Related Information ◽  
The Future ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Physician Patient

eHealth refers to use of information and communication technologies to improve or enable health and healthcare. eHealth broadens the scope of health care delivery, citizens are in the center of services and services are offered by information systems often via the Internet. In this chapter eHealth systems are classified on the basis of their use and their functionality and the use is discussed from the viewpoints of citizens and health professionals. Citizens are increasingly using Internet and eHealth systems to search for medicine or health related information, and they become better informed and may take more responsibility of their own health. Health professionals are more reluctant to use the Internet and eHealth systems in physician-patient communication due to power and responsibility problems of decisions. In the future the socio-technical nature of eHealth should be considered and future systems developed for real use and user environment with user acceptable technology.

E-Health Systems

2011 ◽  
pp. 281-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pirkko Nykanen
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Physician Patient

E-health refers to use of information and communication technologies to improve or enable health and healthcare. E-health broadens the scope of healthcare delivery; citizens are in the center of services and services are offered by information systems often via the Internet. In this chapter e-health systems are classified on the basis of their use and their functionality and the use is discussed from the viewpoints of citizens and health professionals. Citizens are increasingly using Internet and e-health systems to search for medicine or health-related information, and they become better informed and may take more responsibility of their own health. Health professionals are more reluctant to use the Internet and e-health systems in physician-patient communication due to the power and responsibility problems of decisions. In the future the sociotechnical nature of e-health should be considered and future systems developed for real use and user environment with user acceptable technology.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Searching for Health-Related Information and Cyberchondria on the General Population in Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Vismara ◽  
Daniele Vitella ◽  
Roberta Biolcati ◽  
Federica Ambrosini ◽  
Veronica Pirola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Short Version ◽  
Present Sample ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: The Internet has become one of the most common sources people use to search for health-related information, a behavior rapidly increased during the novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study aimed to investigate behavioral patterns in the online health-related searches and Cyberchondria (CYB) during the COVID-19 pandemic time, in order to explore socio-demographic and psychopathological factors related to CYB.Methods: During the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, a cross-sectional online survey collected the main socio-demographic variables and habits related to Internet use of 572 participants. CYB was measured by the Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Version and different psychopathological factors were measured by specific questionnaires: the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Short Health Anxiety Inventory, the Meta-Cognitions about Health Questionnaire, the Internet Addiction Test, the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Questionnaire-Short Version, the Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, and the WHO Quality of Life-BREF. Descriptives, non-parametric ANOVAs, and Spearman correlations were performed.Results: In the present sample, the Internet was the main source participants used to search for health-related information and nearly one-third increased this habit during the pandemic. Higher expression of CYB emerged in females, in younger participants, in students, and in those suffering from a physical/psychiatric illness. CYB showed a positive correlation with different phenomenology of anxiety (i.e., anxiety about COVID-19, health anxiety, general anxiety, metacognitive believes about anxiety) and with depression, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and problematic usage of the Internet. Conversely, quality of life and self-esteem showed a negative correlation with CYB.Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of the Internet for health-related information and CYB contribute to the psychological stress affecting individuals and society. Delineating subjects more vulnerable to CYB and associated psychopathological factors will help to elaborate operational indications for prevention and psychological support.

E-Health Systems

2011 ◽  
pp. 2314-2322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pirkko Nykänen
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Physician Patient

E-health refers to use of information and communication technologies to improve or enable health and healthcare. E-health broadens the scope of healthcare delivery; citizens are in the center of services and services are offered by information systems often via the Internet. In this chapter ehealth systems are classified on the basis of their use and their functionality and the use is discussed from the viewpoints of citizens and health professionals. Citizens are increasingly using Internet and e-health systems to search for medicine or health-related information, and they become better informed and may take more responsibility of their own health. Health professionals are more reluctant to use the Internet and e-health systems in physician-patient communication due to the power and responsibility problems of decisions. In the future the sociotechnical nature of e-health should be considered and future systems developed for real use and user environment with user acceptable technology.

scholarly journals Internet and its Impact on the Patient-Physician Relationship Patient Visiting Various Dental Clinics in Northern India

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (12) ◽  
pp. 390-395
Author(s):  
Rajesh Sharma ◽  
Inder Sharma ◽  
Pradeep Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Northern India ◽  
Dental Clinics ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Physician Relationship ◽  
The Impact

INTRODUCTION: Readily available health-related information over the internet has led to increased patient awareness, and this might be a possible factor straining the patient-physician relationship. AIM: To assess the impact of the internet on the patient-physician relationship amongst patient visiting various dental clinics in Northern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 600 pre-tested online questionnaires distributed, a total of 456 (response rate 76%) adequately filled questionnaires were analysed for the impact of internet on the patient-physician relationship. Responses were subsequently tabulated and analysed using SPSS Version 21.0. Statistical significance was kept as p≤0.05. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference (p=.04) was seen amongst males and females regarding their internet usage with a higher proportion of health information being seeked by males. Most internet users (66.6%) followed their physician’s advice before they began using the internet with behavioural changes seen mostly in the 18-30 years age group (75.64%), yet only 14.38% of them informing their physician about such changes. CONCLUSION: It is important that people be advised about the potential risks of believing in sources from the internet with physicians also being advised to spend more quality time with their patients to alleviate them of their fears and doubts.

The Impact of a Highly Publicized Celebrity Suicide on Suicide-Related Online Information Seeking

Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Arendt ◽  
Sebastian Scherr
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Search Queries ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Celebrity Suicide ◽  
Online Information Seeking ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Background: Research has already acknowledged the importance of the Internet in suicide prevention as search engines such as Google are increasingly used in seeking both helpful and harmful suicide-related information. Aims: We aimed to assess the impact of a highly publicized suicide by a Hollywood actor on suicide-related online information seeking. Method: We tested the impact of the highly publicized suicide of Robin Williams on volumes of suicide-related search queries. Results: Both harmful and helpful search terms increased immediately after the actor's suicide, with a substantial jump of harmful queries. Limitations: The study has limitations (e.g., possible validity threats of the query share measure, use of ambiguous search terms). Conclusion: Online suicide prevention efforts should try to increase online users' awareness of and motivation to seek help, for which Google's own helpline box could play an even more crucial role in the future.

Executive Dysfunction Mediates the Association Between Older Age and Online Health Information Search Performance

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Kordovski ◽  
Savanna M. Tierney ◽  
Samina Rahman ◽  
Luis D. Medina ◽  
Michelle A. Babicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Information Search ◽  
Search Task ◽  
Executive Dysfunction ◽  
Older Age ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related

Objective: Searching the Internet for health-related information is a complex and dynamic goal-oriented process that places demands on executive functions, which are higher-order cognitive abilities that are known to deteriorate with older age. This study aimed to examine the effects of older age on electronic health (eHealth) search behavior, and to determine whether executive functions played a mediating role in that regard. Method: Fifty younger adults (≤ 35 years) and 41 older adults (≥50 years) completed naturalistic eHealth search tasks involving fact-finding (Fact Search) and symptom diagnosis (Symptom Search), a neurocognitive battery, and a series of questionnaires. Results: Multiple regression models with relevant covariates revealed that older adults were slower and less accurate than younger adults on the eHealth Fact Search task, but not on the eHealth Symptom Search task. Nevertheless, executive functions mediated the relationship between older age and eHealth Fact Search and Symptom Search accuracy. Conclusions: Older adults can experience difficulty searching the Internet for some health-related information, which is at least partly attributable to executive dysfunction. Future studies are needed to determine the benefits of training in the organizational and strategic aspects of Internet search for older adults and whether these findings are applicable to clinical populations with executive dysfunction.

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