Internet use for health information among patients with chronic conditions in urban community clinics of Los Angeles

Introduction: The internet is being used increasingly as a source of health information.

Objectives: To assess the use of internet for health information and to examine the patient's perception about this information by chronic conditions.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of a systematic sample of 755 patients from community clinics in Los Angeles. We analyzed the data for the subsample of 358 internet users.

Results: Of the 358 internet users, 308 (80%) reported having =>1 chronic conditions. Respondents who reported having a chronic condition were more likely to use the Internet to access health information [OR= 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1- 3.0). Higher percentage of those with diabetes, arthritis, chronic pain, and depression (72%) used the Internet for health information relative to other chronic conditions. Respondents who reported having one chronic condition were more likely to search for online health information than those with no chronic condition (OR=2.1, 95% CI [1.1, 3.9]). The online health information searched were mostly related to specific diseases (91%), certain medical treatment (83%), and diet/nutrition (76%). Most of the patients reported that online health information was helpful (97%), useful (90%), and improved their medical information/services (90%). Of those with chronic conditions, 72% reported talking to doctors about the online health information versus 59% of those with no chronic conditions (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Health care professional have a great avenue to use the Internet as an educational tool to supplement the health information that patients can obtain and perhaps to improve the outcome of their chronic conditions.