Health-Web Connection

Bristol, T. J. (2003). The Health-Web Connection: Using the Internet as a nursing tool. Nursing Matters, 14(7), 21.

When I admit patients to the hospital, I assess my patient’s learning preferences. I ask “How do you learn best? Talking, reading, showing, or video?" I wonder if I shouldn’t be asking about a 5th type? Should I ask about Surfing?

The internet was first introduced in 1969 through a research group hoping to share information over long distances (McCain & Jukes, 2001). Since that time, information technology has grown exponentially. Most every computer owner has accepted the reality that their brand new computer will probably be obsolete in the next year. As technology increases, so do the expectations of those using the technology. For instance, people of my generation would not consider a telephone, car or an electric can opener to be technology. Whereas, students currently in high school and traditional college programs will not consider palm pilots, cell phones and computers to be technology. The younger generations will expect efficient information and communication management through online venues.

We have also noted a marked increase in our senior population’s use of the internet. Senior online use has climbed from 14 million in the year 2000 to 27 million in 2003 (Vastag, 2001). Considering the aging of the American population, this number will most likely go up. Research shows that seniors use the internet mostly for communication. However, when visiting senior focused sites such as SeniorNet.org and AARP.org, there seems to be many more issues that seniors are interested in than just email.

Given the increased prevalence of chronic disease and disability in older age, research related to chronic disease and online patient interaction certainly applies to discussions about seniors online. Berrera, Glasgow, McKay, Boles and Feil (2002) discuss type 2 diabetes and social support on the internet. They observe that participants who engage in online interpersonal interactions report more feelings of social support than those who use telephone calls or even face-to-face group interactions to meet social needs. The sample included 160 individuals ages 40 to 75 with a mean age of 59. Hauber et al.(2002) reported that 68% of patients from a brain and spinal injury rehabilitation program were using the internet and wanted more online information regarding their disease. Many were even requesting an online support group with others who had the same diagnosis.

What about safety? What if I send my patients to a web site and they receive bad information? Loader et al.(2002) analyzed 303 postings from an online diabetes support group. Of those postings, 6 were labeled as either false or possibly dangerous. However, we must remember that we do not discourage support groups because someone in that group may give our patient bad information.

Nonetheless, the nurse or health care facility should certainly evaluate web material and Usenet discussion sites before making recommendations. The more trusted and reliable sites will have discussion monitors/moderators that will remove information that could be considered possibly harmful. Handouts should warn the patient to never make decisions without consulting their health care professional first. Many health care related web sites will also make this disclaimer upon entering their website.

In a recent course with the Juniors at Concordia University, we took a look at some web sites and discussed the possible implications of our patients using these sites for health related information and support. Maybe your unit or team could do the same? Here are a few examples to start with.

Aaron’s Tracheostomy Page www.tracheostomy.com

Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org

Brain talk Communities www.Braintalk.org

Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation www.michaeljfox.org/parkinson

United Ostomy Association, Inc. www.uoa.org



Berrera, M., Glasgow, R. E., McKay, H. G., Boles, S. M. & Feil, E. G. (2002). Do internet-based support interventions change perceptions of social support? American Journal of Community Psychology, 30(5), 637 – 655.

Hauber, R. P., Vesmarovich, S., & Dufour, L. (2002). The use of computers and the internet as a source of health information for people with disabilities. Rehabilitation Nursing, 27(4), 142-145.

Loader, B. D., Muncer, S., Burrows, R., Pleace, N., & Nettleton, S. (2002). Medicine on the line? Computer-mediated social support and advice for people with diabetes. International Journal of Social Welfare, 11, 53-65.

McCain, T., & Jukes, I. (2001). Windows on the future: Education in the age of technology. Thousand Oaks, Ca: Corwin Press, Inc.

Vastag, B. (2001). Easing the elderly online in search of health information. JAMA, 285(12), 1563-1564.