2002

Information and communication technology (ICT) in oncology. Patients' and relatives' suggestions and expectations to hospital websites

Information and communication technology (ICT) in oncology. Patients' and relatives' experiences and suggestions.

Jan Norum, Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine Anne Grev, The Montebello Centre, Mesnali, Norway Lise Balteskard, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway Kari Holthe, Norwegian Cancer Union, Tromsø, Norway Lars Ottestad, The Montebello Centre, Mesnali, Norway Deede Gammon, Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine

Purpose: The questionnaire-based study was initiated to clarify patients' and relatives' experiences and suggestions concerning information and communication technology (ICT) in oncology. Method: The pilot study focused main informants, access/use of the Internet, experiences with ICT and suggestions for cancer centres' web sites and the use of ICT. In September 2001 a total of 100 consecutive patients visiting the out-patient clinic at the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN) and 10 patients visiting the Norwegian Cancer Union (NCU) in Tromsø, were invited. Patients entering were offered one extra questionnaire for one relative. Material: 36 patients and 10 relatives were included. There were 23 women and 23 men. The mean age was 55 yrs (range 25-79 yrs). They suffered from breast cancer (13 cases), lymphomas (6 cases), prostate cancer (4 cases), gastrointestinal malignancies (4 cases) and other cancers (9 cases). Results: 4/10 informants had a score >50: hospital doctors (85), hospital nurse (70), family/friends (65) and literature (55). 29/46 (63%) had Internet access and 15 visited the net at least once a month. Internet access was correlated with younger age (p = 0.035). E-mail and wap communication were suggested by 16/46 and 18/46, respectively. Only 6 had visited a hospital web site. 12 topics for a web site were scored by 45 persons as follows: waiting list (82), treatment offers (77), general (address, phone, e-mail etc) (72), relatives (66), maps (65), different departments (59), search-ability (58), leisure activities (54), links (47), prices (43), interpreter (32) and information in English (25). Conclusion: A significant number of patients are using ICT and their suggestions should be focused when developing new services. The study has been escalated including patients at the Montebello Centre in Mesnali in the time period 1st January - 1st March 2002. All data will be implemented in the presentation at the Nortelemed conference.

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