Uso de Internet entre los pacientes con enfermedades digestivas en un hospital general / Internet use among patients with gastrointestinal diseases in a general hospital

Introducción Internet ha supuesto un cambio radical en el acceso a la información médica. No se ha estudiado el acceso a webs médicas en los pacientes con enfermedades digestivas en nuestro medio. Objetivo Determinar el nivel de acceso y el uso de Internet como fuente de información médica de los pacientes con enfermedades digestivas en nuestro entorno. Material y métodos Se encuestaron 699 pacientes consecutivos, ingresados y de consultas externas intra y extrahospitalarias de Digestivo. Resultados Respondieron 671 pacientes (55% mujeres), rango de edad 18 a 88 años, media de 54 + 16. Usaban Internet el 36%. No hubo diferencias por sexos, pero sí por edad (86% los mayores de 30 años vs 6% los mayores de 70, p<0,005). Buscaron más información los pacientes del hospital que los extrahospitalarios (77 vs 54%, p<0,005). Los pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria utilizaron más Internet que el resto (57 vs 33%, p>0,005, OR 2,710 IC 1,628-4,511). La información le pareció menos fiable que la del médico al 77% de los hombres y al 70% de las mujeres. Al 86% le gustaría usar el correo electrónico con su médico. El 89% consideraban Internet útil para resolver dudas, el 89% querían direcciones de salud y el 90% información periódica sobre su enfermedad. Los pacientes no universitarios demandaban más información periódica (p = 0,01) y sobre cómo buscar información médica (p = 0,03). Conclusiones Una tercera parte de los pacientes con enfermedades digestivas utilizan Internet para informarse acerca de su enfermedad. Los pacientes quieren mayor información de su médico sobre recursos de salud en Internet (AU)

Introduction The internet has provoked a radical change in access to medical information. Access to medical websites among patients with gastrointestinal diseases has not been studied in our environment. Objective To determine the level of access and use of internet as a source of medical information in patients with gastrointestinal diseases in our environment. Material and methods We surveyed 699 consecutive patients, who were admitted to hospital or who were from intra- and extrahospital outpatient gastroenterology clinics. Results Responses were obtained from 671 patients (55% women), aged from 18 to 88 years, (mean 54 +16). Thirty-six percent used the internet. There were no differences between men and women, but differences were found by age (86% >30 years vs 6%>70, p<0.005). More inpatients sought information than outpatients (77% vs 54%, p<0.005). Patients with inflammatory disease used the internet more than the remaining patients (57% vs 33%, p>0.005, OR 2.710 CI 1.628-4.511). Seventy-seven percent of men and 70% of women believed the information was less reliable than that provided by the physician. Eighty-six percent of patients would like e-mail contact with their physician. Eighty-nine percent thought the internet was useful to resolve doubts, 89% wanted the addresses of health sites and 90% wanted to receive periodic information on their disease. Patients without a university education wanted more periodic information (p = 0.01) and more information on how to search for medical information (p = 0.03).Conclusions One-third of patients with gastrointestinal diseases use the internet to obtain information on their disease. Patients require more information from their physician on internet health resources (AU)

[Internet use among patients with gastrointestinal diseases in a general hospital]. / Uso de Internet entre los pacientes con enfermedades digestivas en un hospital general.

INTRODUCTION: The internet has provoked a radical change in access to medical information. Access to medical websites among patients with gastrointestinal diseases has not been studied in our environment. OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of access and use of internet as a source of medical information in patients with gastrointestinal diseases in our environment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We surveyed 699 consecutive patients, who were admitted to hospital or who were from intra- and extrahospital outpatient gastroenterology clinics. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 671 patients (55% women), aged from 18 to 88 years, (mean 54 +16). Thirty-six percent used the internet. There were no differences between men and women, but differences were found by age (86% >30 years vs 6%>70, p<0.005). More inpatients sought information than outpatients (77% vs 54%, p<0.005). Patients with inflammatory disease used the internet more than the remaining patients (57% vs 33%, p>0.005, OR 2.710 CI 1.628-4.511). Seventy-seven percent of men and 70% of women believed the information was less reliable than that provided by the physician. Eighty-six percent of patients would like e-mail contact with their physician. Eighty-nine percent thought the internet was useful to resolve doubts, 89% wanted the addresses of health sites and 90% wanted to receive periodic information on their disease. Patients without a university education wanted more periodic information (p = 0.01) and more information on how to search for medical information (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: One-third of patients with gastrointestinal diseases use the internet to obtain information on their disease. Patients require more information from their physician on internet health resources.