JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The Internet has enabled convenient and efficient health information (HI) searching which is especially valuable for individuals with chronic conditions that require some level of self-management of their health. However, there is little research evaluating what factors may impact the use of the Internet for health-related tasks for specific clinical populations, such as patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) or stomach ulcers, two related chronic conditions that can include self-management as part of their treatment plans.

Objective:

Our goal was to investigate the factors that influence Internet use in acquiring HI by individuals with IBD or stomach ulcers. Specifically, we identified factors associated with Internet searching behavior, and the Internet’s use for completing health-related tasks in the population of interest.

Methods:

We used the 2016 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data in a weighted format to develop logistic regression models to predict the likelihood that patients with IBD or stomach ulcers would use the Internet for two types of tasks: seeking HI through online searches or chat rooms; or using the Internet to perform health-related tasks such as filling prescriptions, scheduling appointments, and emailing care providers.

Results:

The 2016 NHIS weighted data includes more than 17 million weighted respondents who reported having IBD or stomach ulcers. Our results found that only approximately 13% of those with IBD or stomach ulcers reported using the Internet more than once a day and approximately 15% reported being dissatisfied with their current healthcare. More specifically, we found that middle-aged (36-55 years old) and older (over 55 years old) adults who had talked to a general practitioner during the past year were more likely to look up HI online than younger adults (18-35 years old) as were those who reported trying to purchase health insurance directly. Chat rooms were used more frequently by those trying to save money by self-regulating their care and those who reported being worried about the medical costs of illness or accident. Similarly, the results from our statistical models suggest that patients who try to self-regulate their care, patients who are dissatisfied with their healthcare, or patients who are worried about health care expenses are more likely to use the Internet for specific health-related tasks.

Conclusions:

For those with IBD or stomach ulcers, there are additional socioeconomic and behavioral factors that impact the use of the Internet for HI and health-related tasks. Future research should evaluate how these factors moderate or mediate the use of the Internet to identify how online resources can support clinical populations in ways that improve access to information, support health self-management, and improve health outcomes.