Use of the Internet as a resource of health information by patients: a clinic-based study in the Indian population.

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dc.contributor.authorAkerkar, S Men_US
dc.contributor.authorKanitkar, Men_US
dc.contributor.authorBichile, L Sen_US
dc.date.accessioned2005-04-12en_US
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-02T10:53:34Z
dc.date.available2005-04-12en_US
dc.date.available2009-06-02T10:53:34Z
dc.date.issued2005-04-12en_US
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND: There is abundant literature documenting that the Internet is fast changing the way patients access health-related information, learn about their illnesses, and make healthcare-related decisions. However, there is hardly any data regarding Indian patients accessing health-related information available on the Internet. AIMS: To determine patients' use of the Internet as a medical information resource and to determine their experience, their perceptions of the quality and reliability of the information available. SETTING: The study was carried out in the outpatient clinic of an urban, tertiary care private sector hospital in November 2004. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our survey instrument consisted of an anonymous single-page questionnaire. Eight hundred and eighty consecutive adults aged 18-70 years, attending the general outpatient clinic of a tertiary care private hospital completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-one (32%) patients acknowledged surfing the Internet, while 75% (212/281) of them acknowledged that they accessed health-related information. Amongst those who accessed the Internet, 130 (61%) found the information on the net to be of average quality. Almost all patients (211/212) felt that the information served the purpose and 95% (201/212) also found also found it to be reliable. Only 7% (21/281) patients were aware of the presence of any quality standards pertaining to health information sites and none could name any accreditation standard. CONCLUSIONS: One in four patients attending the private set-up is using the Internet for health information. A majority of patients find the information on the net reliable and of good quality. Awareness about health information quality standards is a rarity.en_US
dc.description.affiliationDepartment of Medicine, Seth G.S. Medical College, and K.E.M. Hospital, Parel, Mumbai-12, India. Shashank77_2000@yahoo.comen_US
dc.identifier.citationAkerkar SM, Kanitkar M, Bichile LS. Use of the Internet as a resource of health information by patients: a clinic-based study in the Indian population. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine. 2005 Apr-Jun; 51(2): 116-8en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/115838
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.source.urihttps://www.jpgmonline.comen_US
dc.subject.meshAdolescenten_US
dc.subject.meshAdulten_US
dc.subject.meshAgeden_US
dc.subject.meshFemaleen_US
dc.subject.meshHumansen_US
dc.subject.meshIndiaen_US
dc.subject.meshInternet --standardsen_US
dc.subject.meshMaleen_US
dc.subject.meshMiddle Ageden_US
dc.subject.meshOutpatient Clinics, Hospitalen_US
dc.subject.meshPatient Education as Topic --methodsen_US
dc.subject.meshQuality of Health Careen_US
dc.subject.meshQuestionnairesen_US
dc.titleUse of the Internet as a resource of health information by patients: a clinic-based study in the Indian population.en_US
dc.typeJournal Articleen_US
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