[Use of the internet for health information by ENT patients]

Abstract

Introduction: The internet is becoming increasingly more important as a source of information for patients, so that nowadays internet-based information must be more frequently considered in the dialogue with patients.

Material and methods: This study is based on an analysis of ENT patients' habits in acquiring information from the internet. The data were collected by a questionnaire for in-patients over a period of 9 months during 2006 and 2007. A total of 503 patients with different family backgrounds were interviewed and the answers analyzed with respect to the illness, age, gender, education and information acquisition from the internet.

Results: The younger generation was found to use the internet in general more than older patients and there were no differences between males and females. Middle aged patients in particular used the internet for answering questions on health. Patients with complex elective surgery used the internet more often than patients undergoing simple elective surgery and patients with tumors and private patients used the internet more often than those with social health insurance. Among the questioned patients it was noticeable that a high proportion of those using internet to obtain information were well educated.

Discussion: Despite the high quality of information available for ENT patients on the internet, information obtained from the treating physician is still preferred by many patients. Due to demographic changes an increased use of the internet for patient information is to be expected in the future. The correlation found in this study between education, insurance status and the use of the internet might play a role in a target group oriented improvement of information supply.