Improving Access to Information and Support for Patients With Less Common Cancers: Hematologic Cancer Patients’ Views About Web-Based Approaches
BackgroundMeeting the psychosocial needs of vulnerable groups such as cancer survivors remains an ongoing challenge. This is particularly so for those who have less access to the usual forms of medical specialist and in-person support networks. Internet-based approaches offer an opportunity to bette...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2011-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Online Access: | http://www.jmir.org/2011/4/e112/ |
| _version_ | 1818776507748712448 |
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| author | Paul, Christine Louise Carey, Mariko Leanne Hall, Alix Edna Lynagh, Marita Clare Sanson-Fisher, Robert W Henskens, Frans Alexander |
| author_facet | Paul, Christine Louise Carey, Mariko Leanne Hall, Alix Edna Lynagh, Marita Clare Sanson-Fisher, Robert W Henskens, Frans Alexander |
| author_sort | Paul, Christine Louise |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundMeeting the psychosocial needs of vulnerable groups such as cancer survivors remains an ongoing challenge. This is particularly so for those who have less access to the usual forms of medical specialist and in-person support networks. Internet-based approaches offer an opportunity to better meet patients’ information and support needs by overcoming the barrier of geographic isolation.
ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to assess the reported level of access to the Internet, preferred sources of information, and preferred sources of support among survivors of hematologic cancers.
MethodA population-based, Australian state cancer registry invited eligible survivors to complete a survey about psychosocial needs, including items measuring Internet access and patterns of use. Of the 732 eligible survivors invited to participate, 268 (36.6%) completed and returned the pen-and-paper-based survey.
ResultsThe majority of participants (186/254, 73.2%) reported a high level of access to the Internet, with higher Internet access associated with a higher level of education, larger household, younger age, and being married or employed. A total of 62.2% (156/251) of survivors indicated they were likely to use the Internet for accessing information, with the percentage much lower (69/251, 28%) for accessing support via the Internet. Likelihood of using the Internet for support was associated with feeling anxious and being employed.
ConclusionsWhile the Internet appears to offer promise in increasing equitable access to information and support for cancer survivors for both metropolitan and regional areas, it is viewed less favorably for support and by particular subgroups (eg, older people and those without a university degree) within the survivor population. Promoting greater understanding of this mode of support may be required to achieve its potential. Information and support options other than Web-based approaches may continue to be needed by vulnerable groups of cancer survivors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T11:14:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a82de008840c4b47afd30cf872f272f9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1438-8871 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T11:14:02Z |
| publishDate | 2011-12-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-a82de008840c4b47afd30cf872f272f92022-12-21T21:09:58ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712011-12-01134e11210.2196/jmir.1894Improving Access to Information and Support for Patients With Less Common Cancers: Hematologic Cancer Patients’ Views About Web-Based ApproachesPaul, Christine LouiseCarey, Mariko LeanneHall, Alix EdnaLynagh, Marita ClareSanson-Fisher, Robert WHenskens, Frans AlexanderBackgroundMeeting the psychosocial needs of vulnerable groups such as cancer survivors remains an ongoing challenge. This is particularly so for those who have less access to the usual forms of medical specialist and in-person support networks. Internet-based approaches offer an opportunity to better meet patients’ information and support needs by overcoming the barrier of geographic isolation. ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to assess the reported level of access to the Internet, preferred sources of information, and preferred sources of support among survivors of hematologic cancers. MethodA population-based, Australian state cancer registry invited eligible survivors to complete a survey about psychosocial needs, including items measuring Internet access and patterns of use. Of the 732 eligible survivors invited to participate, 268 (36.6%) completed and returned the pen-and-paper-based survey. ResultsThe majority of participants (186/254, 73.2%) reported a high level of access to the Internet, with higher Internet access associated with a higher level of education, larger household, younger age, and being married or employed. A total of 62.2% (156/251) of survivors indicated they were likely to use the Internet for accessing information, with the percentage much lower (69/251, 28%) for accessing support via the Internet. Likelihood of using the Internet for support was associated with feeling anxious and being employed. ConclusionsWhile the Internet appears to offer promise in increasing equitable access to information and support for cancer survivors for both metropolitan and regional areas, it is viewed less favorably for support and by particular subgroups (eg, older people and those without a university degree) within the survivor population. Promoting greater understanding of this mode of support may be required to achieve its potential. Information and support options other than Web-based approaches may continue to be needed by vulnerable groups of cancer survivors.http://www.jmir.org/2011/4/e112/ |
| spellingShingle | Paul, Christine Louise Carey, Mariko Leanne Hall, Alix Edna Lynagh, Marita Clare Sanson-Fisher, Robert W Henskens, Frans Alexander Improving Access to Information and Support for Patients With Less Common Cancers: Hematologic Cancer Patients’ Views About Web-Based Approaches Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| title | Improving Access to Information and Support for Patients With Less Common Cancers: Hematologic Cancer Patients’ Views About Web-Based Approaches |
| title_full | Improving Access to Information and Support for Patients With Less Common Cancers: Hematologic Cancer Patients’ Views About Web-Based Approaches |
| title_fullStr | Improving Access to Information and Support for Patients With Less Common Cancers: Hematologic Cancer Patients’ Views About Web-Based Approaches |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving Access to Information and Support for Patients With Less Common Cancers: Hematologic Cancer Patients’ Views About Web-Based Approaches |
| title_short | Improving Access to Information and Support for Patients With Less Common Cancers: Hematologic Cancer Patients’ Views About Web-Based Approaches |
| title_sort | improving access to information and support for patients with less common cancers hematologic cancer patients views about web based approaches |
| url | http://www.jmir.org/2011/4/e112/ |
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