Pew Report on e-patients with Chronic disease

Last week the Pew Internet & American Life Project published an interesting report about how people with chronic diseases use the internet. I came across the report thanks to the Health Wisdom Blog.



Surprisingly only about half of those with chronic illnesses (including diabetes) actually use the internet. But when they do find the internet, and the information they can get from it, they become 'avid' users. For those of use who read diabetes blogs, are members of TuDiabetes.com, and use resources like the diabetes search engine, or diabetes daily this must be surprising news.

The report is based on a survey of nearly 3,000 adults taken in August 2006. It defines E-patients with chronic conditions as "Internet users who have identified themselves as living with a disability or chronic disease and who search online for information on health and health care". And this group of people with chronic illness are empowered by what they find on the internet. According the published findings

• 75% of e-patients with chronic conditions say the information they found in their last search affected a decision about how to treat an illness or condition, compared with 55% of e-patients who report no disability or illness.
  
• 69% of e-patients with chronic conditions say the information led them to ask a doctor new questions or to get a second opinion from another doctor, compared with 52% of other e-patients.
  
• 57% of e-patients with chronic conditions say the information changed the way they cope with a chronic condition or manage pain, compared with 36% of other e-patients.
  
• 56% of e-patients with chronic conditions say the information changed the way they think about diet, exercise, or stress management, compared with 42% of other e-patients.

I think the numbers are interesting but the overall findings aren't too surprising. I've previously blogged about the importance of taking more control of our own health care. I think I'm pretty informed about diabetes, but since I started blogging in August 2006 I've found many better ways to deal with this disease and improve my overall control. Sites like TuDiabetes.com and the connections that I've made there have been invaluable.

I hope the news about this report gets out to a wider audience. And ultimately leads more people with chronic illnesses to the internet and to better outcomes and quality of life.

Labels: chronic, internet, pew, tudiabetes

posted by Bernard @ 8:57 AM 3 Comments Links to this post