Comupter Self-efficacy of Outpatients in Urban health centers for Internet-based health information & Disease support

Internet-based health information and communication is increasingly popular, yet there is a lack of studies reporting on Internet use of patients in public health clinics. This research study examined the associations between patients’ attributes, computer self-efficacy, and their use of Internet-based health information.  Guided by Social cognitive theory, this quantitative cross-sectional study adopted a 30 question self-administered survey (Computer Self-Efficacy for Personal Health) with 455 men and women, ages 18 to 86, in three urban clinics. Survey domains included computer skills, perceived barriers, perceived benefits for Internet-based health information, experience with Internet-based health information, and demographic data.  Statistical software SPSS was used for data analysis and hypotheses testing.  Participants in the study were older (M = 46.50, SD = 15.01) than California population in general.  A significant difference was detected between computer self-efficacy scores of the two groups: those who have or have not accessed the Internet for health information (U = 6122.00, Z = 4.831, p < .001, r = .27).  Education level is positively related to having accessed the Internet x² = (4, N = 275) = 42.838, p < .001, but not with gender or economic level.  Having perceived benefits of Internet-based health information was significantly related with having accessed the Internet for health information rrb (241) = .150, p <.05).  Increasing age was negatively correlated with computer self-efficacy (-.344, p < .01).  Implications for social change include considerations needed for health planners implementing patient education and disease support programs to consider the diverse needs and potentials of outpatients in urban health clinics.