The Utilization of Oncology Web-based Resources in Spanish-speaking Internet Users

Abstract

Objectives: There currently are few web-based resources written in Spanish providing oncology-specific information. This study examines utilization of Spanish-language oncology web-based resources and evaluates oncology-related Internet browsing practices of Spanish-speaking patients. Methods: OncoLink (http://www.oncolink.org) is the oldest and among the largest Internet-based cancer information resources. In 9/2005, OncoLink pioneered OncoLink en español (OEE) (http://es.oncolink.org), a Spanish translation of OncoLink. Internet utilization data on these sites for 2006-2007 were compared. Results: Visits to OncoLink rose from 4,440,843 in 2006 to 5,125,952 in 2007. OEE had 204,578 unique visitors and 240,442 visits in 2006, and 351,228 visitors and 412,153 visits in 2007. While there was no time predilection for viewing OncoLink, less relative browsing on OEE was conducted during weekends and early morning hours. While OncoLink readers searched for information on the most common cancers in the United States, OEE readers most often search for gastric, vaginal, osteosarcoma, leukemia, penile, cervical, and testicular malignancies. Average visit duration on OEE was shorter, and fewer readers surveyed OEE >15 minutes (4.5% vs. 14.9%, p<0.001). Conclusions: Spanish-speaking users of web-based oncology resources are increasingly using the Internet to supplement their cancer knowledge. Limited available resources written in Spanish contribute to disparities in information access and disease outcomes. Spanish-speaking oncology readers differ from English-speaking readers in day and time of Internet browsing, visit duration, Internet search patterns, and types of cancers searched. By acknowledging these differences, content of web-based oncology resources can be developed to best target the needs of Spanish-speaking viewers.

Nativity and language preference as drivers of health information seeking: examining differences and trends from a U.S. population-based survey

“…Given these differences in health information seeking, further research is needed to better understand how information seeking patterns can influence health care use, quality of care, and ultimately health outcomes. When available, culturally and linguistically competent websites that provide disease-specific health information for immigrant populations have been well utilized (Simone et al 2012; Londra et al 2014; Liu, Haukoos, and Sasson 2014; Wang and Yu 2014). However, understanding how these resources strengthen quality of care and service utilization requires additional investigation, particularly when considering the culture and context of health information seeking.…”

Penile cancer information on the internet: a needle in a haystack

“…These generally relate to inflammatory processes that occur in the penis and include human papilloma virus infection, phimosis, lichen sclerosis and poor penile hygiene . Limited available web resources in Spanish and Portuguese contribute to disparities in information access and disease outcomes . A study of both English‐ and Spanish‐speaking internet users found that penile cancer was the fifth most commonly searched cancer in Spanish, whereas it was not in the top 10 cancers searched in English .…”

“…Limited available web resources in Spanish and Portuguese contribute to disparities in information access and disease outcomes . A study of both English‐ and Spanish‐speaking internet users found that penile cancer was the fifth most commonly searched cancer in Spanish, whereas it was not in the top 10 cancers searched in English . By recognizing the differences in both search patterns and web resources available, the content of web‐based oncology resources can be developed to best target the needs of populations at higher risk of penile cancer.…”

Internetnutzung von Patienten in der ambulanten onkologischen Versorgung: Ergebnisse einer deutschlandweiten Patientenbefragung

“…Das Internet hat sich längst als wichtige Informationsquelle für Krebspatienten bei der Suche nach Informationen über Krebserkrankung und -versorgung etabliert [1][2][3]. Einigen Studien zufolge nutzen 41 % [1] bis 63 % [4] dieser Patientenpopulation das Internet, um nach erkrankungsrelevanten Informationen zu suchen, wobei diese Zahl je nach Krebsart variieren kann [1,5].…”

“…Einigen Studien zufolge nutzen 41 % [1] bis 63 % [4] dieser Patientenpopulation das Internet, um nach erkrankungsrelevanten Informationen zu suchen, wobei diese Zahl je nach Krebsart variieren kann [1,5]. Dieses Verhalten ist verschiedenen Gründen zuzuschreiben: Einerseits brauchen manche Patienten besonders viele Informationen, um mit ihrer Erkrankung umgehen zu können [2,4,5], andererseits greifen Patienten auf Internetrecherchen zurück, da sie unzufrieden mit den Informationen sind, die die Ärzte mit ihnen teilen [6]. Ferner wird häufig die Suche nach sozialer Unterstützung genannt [7].…”