Patient Use of the Internet for Information in a Lung Cancer Clinic

Researchers from the Departments of Medicine and Urology, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, conducted a survey to determine patients’ use of the Internet. From the 139 patients that were surveyed, 16% sought information on the Internet, and 60% expressed interest in using the Internet for information.

The survey found that older patients are using the Internet for self-education in lung cancer.

While certain barriers continue to exist, patients from rural areas use the Internet to the same degree, as do patients from urban areas. Patients do, however, overrate the quality of information on the Internet.

(Source: Michael W. Peterson & Peter C. Fretz, Chest. 2003;123:452-457.)