Abstract
In the process of handling a chronic illness, many patients are searching the internet for experiences of other people affected. Websites with personal health experiences can provide support, influence health behavior and help with decision making. However, an evaluation of such internet offers may be useful to assess their quality and benefit for patients. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine how people suffering from a chronic illness evaluate the website krankheitserfahrungen.de, part of DIPEx International (www.dipexinternational.org). A total of 119 people suffering from a chronic illness participated in this study. The participants rated the website using the eHealth Impact Questionnaire (eHIQ). Logfiles were used to record how participants navigated the website. Additionally, sociodemographic data were collected and the SF-12 questionnaire was used to assess health-related quality of life. Women were more inclined to share personal health experiences online (p=,015). The results of the eHIQ indicated a positive evaluation of the website, particularly in the field of information and presentation. This positive evaluation could also be observed by the participants' navigation on the website. Half of them stayed on the site longer than required. Participants especially used those parts of the website that were related to their own illness. Participants with higher education watched more interview videos (p=,022) and read more topic-related texts (p=,006). Predictors for a positive evaluation of the website were a favorable attitude towards sharing health experiences online (OR=1,039; p=,004) and higher education (OR=2,100; p=,098). Websites like krankheitserfahrungen.de seem to meet the needs of chronically ill patients. The way information is presented on the website is more appealing to patients with higher education. Other potential users might prefer a higher level of interactivity rather than content. This exemplary evaluation of a website providing personal health experiences shows the benefit of such online offers and highlights room for specific improvement.
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