Evaluation of Health-related Internet Use in Germany

C. Birkmann; R. C. Dumitru; H.-U. Prokosch

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1634090

Methods of Information in Medicine, Table of Contents

Methods Inf Med 2006; 45(04): 367-376
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1634090

Original Article

Schattauer GmbH

Evaluation of Health-related Internet Use in Germany

Authors

C. Birkmann

¹Department of Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen, Germany
R. C. Dumitru

¹Department of Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen, Germany
H.-U. Prokosch

¹Department of Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen, Germany

Abstract

Summary

Objective: An eHealth survey was conducted in a major Bavarian region in order to evaluate health-related Internet use in Germany.

Methods: A specific questionnaire was developed by the authors to collect sociodemographic data as well as data on general and health-related Internet use. This questionnaire was distributed to patients visiting medical practices in the above mentioned Bavarian region.

Results: Whereas many Internet users look for health-related information and products on the Internet, more advanced web-based techniques such as chat rooms and electronic patient records are hardly used.

Conclusions: Although modern information technologies have the potential to enable citizens to handle their own health-related information in a self-determined and informed manner, at present the general population in Germany is hardly taking this opportunity.

Keywords

eHealth - evaluation - Internet

Full Text

References

References
1 (N)ONLINER Atlas. http://www.nonliner-atlas.de/ (20.09.2005)
2 eEurope 2005 An information society for all http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eerope/2002/news_library/documents/eeurope2005/eeurope2005_en.pdf (20.09.2005).
3 Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Arbeit, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, editors. Informationsgesellschaft Deutschland 2006. Aktionsprogramm der Bundesregierung. Hof/Saale: Mintzel-Druck 2003
4 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Health information. http://health.nih.gov/ (20.09.2005).
5 WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/ (20. 09. 2005).
6 DGN Deutsches Gesundheitsnetz. http://www.dgn.de/homepage_flash/index.html (20.09.2005).
7 Drugstore.com - the uncommon drugstore. http://www.drugstore.com/ (20.09.2005).
8 RxList - the Internet drug index. http://www.rxlist.com/ (20.09.2005).
9 About. Diabetes. Forums. URL http://diabetes. about.com/mpboards.htm (20.09.2005).
10 netdoctor.co.uk. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ (20.09.2005).
11 Safran C, Goldberg H. Electronic patient records and the impact of the Internet. Int J Med Inform 2000; 60 (002) 77-83.
12 Skinner H. et al How adolescents use technology for health information: Implications for health professionals from focus group studies. J Med Internet Res 2003; 5 (004) e32.
13 Morahan-Martin JM. How Internet users find, evaluate, and use online health information: a cross-cultural review. Cyberpsychol Behav 2004; 7 (005) 497-510.
14 Eysenbach G, Kohler C. How do consumers search for and appraise health information on the world wide web? Qualitative study using focus groups, usability tests, and in-depth interviews. BMJ 2002; 324 7337 573-7.
15 Andreassen H. et al Use of Internet health services in Norway. Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association 2002; 122: 1640-4.
16 Baker L, Wagner TH, Singer S, Bundorf MK. Use of the Internet and e-mail for health care information. J Am Med Assoc 2003; 289: 2400-6.
17 Hussain N, Agyeman A, Das Carlo M. Access, attitudes, and concerns of physicians and patients toward e-mail use in health-related communication. Tex Med 2004; 100 (003) 50-7.
18 Gupte CM. et al The Internet - friend or foe? A questionnaire study of orthopaedic out-patients. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2002; 84: 187-92.
19 Qureshi AA, Kvedar JC. Patient knowledge and attitude toward information technology and teledermatology: some tentative findings. Telemed J E Health 2003; 9 (003) 259-64.
20 Houston TK, Allison JJ. Users of Internet health information: Differences by health status. J Med Internet Res 2002; 4 (002) e7.
21 Hsu LL. An exploratory study of Taiwanese consumers’ experiences of using health-related websites. J Nurs Res 2005; 13 (002) 129-40.
22 Sciamanna CN, Clark MA, Houston TK, Diaz JA. Unmet needs of primary care patients in using the Internet for health-related activities. J Med Internet Res 2002; 4 (003) e19.
23 Diaz JA. et al Patients’ use of the Internet for medical information. J Gen Intern Med 2002; 17: 180-5.
24 Pandey SK, Hart JJ, Tirwary S. Women’s health and the Internet: understanding emerging trends and implications. Soc Sci Med 2003; 56: 179-91.
25 Kalichman SC. et al Internet use among people living with HIV/AIDS: coping and health-related correlates. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2005; 19 (007) 439-48.
26 Bowen D. Predictors of women’s Internet access and Internet health seeking. Health Care Women Int 2003; 24 (010) 940-51.
27 Hesse BW. et al Trust and sources of health information. The impact of the Internet and its implications for health care providers: findings from the first Health Information National Trends Survey. Arch Intern Med 2005; 165: 2618-24.
28 European Opinion Research Group (Spadaro R). Eurobarometer 58.0. European Union citizens and sources of information about health. Survey managed and organised by Directorate-General Press and Communication ”Public Opinion Analysis” March 2003. http://europa.eu.int/information_ society/eeurope/ehealth/conference/2003/doc/eb_58_en.pdf (20.09.2005).
29 Heise online. News 27.02.2003, 18:06. Gesundheitsinfos im Internet als Trendthema. http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/34897 (20.09.2005)
30 Friedman CP, Wyatt JC. Evaluation methods in medical informatics. New York: Springer; 1997
31 Jähn K, Nagel E. editors e-Health. Heidelberg: Springer 2004
32 Gesundheitsorganisation GOIN Region Ingolstadt e.V. http://www.goin.info/cms/ (20.09.2005).
33 Workshop on eHealth Trends. http://www.telemed.no/cparticle254758-4259.html (20.09.2005).
34 Genesis-Online - Statistisches Informationssystem Bayern. https://www.statistikdaten.bayern.de/genesis/online/logon (20.09.2005).
35 Leaffer TR. Quality of health information on the Internet. J Am Med Assoc 2001; 286: 2094-5.
36 eEurope 2002. Quality Criteria for Health Related Websites. http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/ehealth/doc/communication_acte_en_fin.pdf (20.09.2005)
37 HON. Health on the net foundation. http://www.hon.ch/ (20.09.2005).
38 Risk A, Dzenowagis J. Review of Internet health information quality initiatives. J Med Internet Res 2001; 3 (004) e28.
39 Eysenbach G, Powell J, Kuss O, Sa ER. Empirical studies assessing the quality of health information for consumers on the world wide web: a systematic review. JAMA 2002; 287 (020) 2691-700.
40 Griffiths KM. et al Quality of web based information on treatment of depression: cross sectional survey. BMJ 2000; 321 7275 1511-5.
41 Eysenbach G. Consumer health informatics. BMJ 2000; 320: 1713-6.
42 Ball MJ, Lillis J. E-health: transforming the physician/patient relationship. Int J Med Inf 2000 61. 1-10.
43 Die elektronische Gesundheitskarte. http://www.dimdi.de/static/de/ehealth/karte/index.htm (20.09.2005).
44 Die Patientenbeauftragte des Bundes. http://www.bmgs.bund.de/deu/gra/ministerium/beauf/pa/5083.cfm (20.09.2005).
45 Verordnung zur Beteiligung von Patientinnen und Patienten in der Gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung (Patientenbeteiligungsverordnung - PatBeteiligungsV). http://www.bmgs.bund.de/download/gesetze/gkv/patbeteiligungsvo.pdf (20.09.2005).
46 The Patient as Partner in Medical Decision Making. http://www.patient-als-partner.de/engl/index.html (20.09.2005).