Virtual Connections: Internet Health Care

Abstract

Shortly before his death in 1995, Kenneth B. Schwartz, a cancer patient at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), founded The Kenneth B. Schwartz Center at MGH. The Schwartz Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing compassionate health care delivery that provides hope to the patient, support to caregivers, and encourages the healing process. The Center sponsors the Schwartz Center Rounds, a monthly multidisciplinary forum where caregivers reflect on important psychosocial issues faced by patients, their families, and their caregivers, and gain insight and support from fellow staff members.The 20th century success of the Internet is now translating into changes in 21st century medical practice. The changes brought about by the Internet have at once facilitated and complicated the practice of medicine. Physicians and patients are challenged to take advantage of the increased opportunities afforded by Internet access while being mindful of its drawbacks and the limitations to virtual communication. The case of Karen Parles, one of the authors, is presented. Karen developed locally advanced lung cancer and used the Internet to research her diagnosis. She found the information on lung cancer limited and confusing, and, in response, developed a website devoted to empowering lung cancer patients in their search for information and support (http://www.lungcanceronline.org). Here we discuss issues surrounding patients' use of the Internet for health information and communication with health care providers. The value of information-seeking as a coping mechanism is debated, and concerns are raised regarding confidentiality of electronic communications and the logistics of physicians adopting e-mail as a mechanism for communicating with patients. The Oncologist 2002;7:555-568 LEARNING OBJECTIVESAfter completing this course, the reader will be able to:1. Understand the increasingly important contribution of the Internet to information and connection for staff and patients with cancer.2. Evaluate the limited evidence on medical misinformation, isolation, and the limits of the Internet.3. Learn the best available oncology Internet resources.Access and take the CME test online and receive one hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com CME CME by guest on May 7, 2018http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/ Downloaded from

Are We Effectively Informing Patients? A Quantitative Analysis of On-Line Patient Education Resources from the American Society of Neuroradiology

“…22 Approximately 70% of patients have said that the on-line information they review has impacted their health care decisions. 35 In an effort to better help these patients make informed health care decisions, it is critical to revise current on-line resources so they are in accord with the capabilities of the consumers of the material. The AMA, National Institutes of Health, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have developed instructional guidelines on various ways to compose patient education narratives at or below a seventh grade level.…”

The Impact of the Internet on Cancer Outcomes

“…Anecdotal reports from patients support the notion that they can benefit enormously from these interactions. 55,66,67 There is an ongoing debate on whether electronic communities in fact lead to social isolation and reduced well-being rather than a strengthening of social support. These concerns are based mainly on the controversial "Internet paradox" publication reporting results from a longitudinal study of the effect of the HomeNet project at Carnegie Mellon University, where 169 persons were provided free computers and Internet access and followed for a period of 1 to 2 years.…”

“…Conversely, there are many patient narratives 55,66,67 and studies reporting benefits for persons with cancer that are incompatible with the notion that Internet use leads to depression. Fogel, et al 70,71 reports that Internet use in persons with breast cancer is associated with increased perceived social support and decreased loneliness.…”

The Readability of Online Patient Education Materials from Major Anesthesiology Associations and the American Society of Anesthesiologists

“…The internet affects all aspects of healthcare right down to the physician patient relationship [20]. The effects are profound and may lead to serious changes in healthcare decision making amongst patients with access to online PEMs.…”

“…The effects are profound and may lead to serious changes in healthcare decision making amongst patients with access to online PEMs. In a study by Penson in 2002, 50% of patients report that the information they found on the internet led them to ask new questions of their doctor or to seek a second opinion, and more than 70% report that the information influenced a treatment decision [20]. The repercussions are clear on both a societal and personal level.…”