The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62817

Todd Wagner, PhD¹, Kate Bundorf, PhD, MBA, M², Laurence Baker, PhD², and Sara Singer, MBA³. (1) VA Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford, 795 Willow Rd., 152-MPD, Menlo Park, CA 94025, 650-493-5000 x22048, twagner@stanford.edu, (2) Health Research and Policy, Stanford University, HRP Redwood Building, Rm 257, Stanford, CA 94305, (3) Center for Health Policy, Stanford University, Encina Commons, Stanford, CA 94305

The rapid growth of digitized health information, coupled with new digital technologies to facilitate patient-doctor communication and to deliver health care services has fueled discussions about the gap, or “digital divide,” between those who can benefit from these technologies and those who cannot. Unknown is the impact of providing people with chronic illnesses free internet access. Since 1999, Knowledge Networks, a survey firm, has developed a panel of members based on random digit dialing techniques. Their business model involves offering randomly selected people a free MSN WebTV and free internet access in exchange for their willingness to complete occasional surveys. In late 2001, we fielded a survey on the use of the internet for health information. We analyzed those who reported having any of five common chronic illnesses and compared those who had previous internet access at home to those who were given access by KN. Of the 4968 chronic ill respondents, prior internet access was associated with higher rates of searching for health information, communicating with others, searching for information on prescription drugs, and getting and purchasing prescriptions compared to those who received free access. However, in all but one case, prior internet access was not associated differences in reported outcomes. The data suggest that the internet is beneficial, particularly for learning about chronic disease(s) and prescription drugs. However, when we compared people with prior internet access to those given the WebTV, the self-reported outcomes were the same in almost every case.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, attendees will recognize that people with prior internet access are more likely to search for health information than people given free internet access. Attendees will also be able to articulate that more searching for information on the internet may keep them up to date with news, but that this does not necessarily translate into improved health outcomes.

Keywords: Interactive Communication, Access

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.