Abstract
ContextHealth-related Internet utilization is common but its use by proxies of critically ill patients is unknown. Our objective was to describe the prevalence and the Internet utilization characteristics among surrogates of critically ill septic patients. We conducted a prospective observational study in French ICUs. Three survey instruments were used to describe ICU organization regarding information delivery, patients and surrogates characteristics.Results169 surrogates of 146 septic patients hospitalized in 19 ICUs were included. One sixth of ICUs (n = 3, 16%) had their own website. Majority of patients were males (n = 100, 68%), aged 64±1 years old, with a SAPS2 score at 53±17 and required vasopressors (n = 117, 83%), mechanical ventilation (n = 116, 82%). More than one quarter required renal replacement therapy (n = 36, 26%). Majority of surrogates were female, in their fifties. Only one in five knew the word sepsis (n = 27, 16%). Majority of proxies internet users (n = 77; 55%) search on the internet about sepsis. The main motivation was curiosity. Majority of surrogates found the information online reliable, suitable for request and concordant. Prior use of health-related Internet (OR = 20.7 [4.30–100.1]), the presence of a nursing staff during family-physician meetings (OR = 3.33 [1.17–9.53]), a younger patient age (OR = 1.32 [1.01–1.72]) and renal replacement therapy requirement (OR = 2.58 [1.06–6.26]) were associated with health-related Internet use. Neither satisfaction with medical care or information provision, neither presence of anxiety-depression symptoms, were associated with health-related Internet use. Majority of surrogates (N = 76 (52%)) would have like receiving a list of selected websites on sepsis.ConclusionsMajority of proxies of critically ill patients with sepsis use Internet to learn more about sepsis. Internet utilization is independent of satisfaction with global ICU care, perceived quality of information delivery by doctors or the existence of anxiety-depression symptoms during ICU stay. The delivery of a list of recommended web sites on sepsis would have been appreciated.
Highlights
During the last decade, the Internet has become a major source of educational materials for patients and health-care workers
Majority of proxies of critically ill patients with sepsis use Internet to learn more about sepsis
Internet utilization is independent of satisfaction with global intensive care unit (ICU) care, perceived quality of information delivery by doctors or the existence of anxiety-depression symptoms during ICU stay
Summary
The Internet has become a major source of educational materials for patients and health-care workers. Recent population-based surveys suggest that the majority of adults in developed countries surf the Internet to obtain medical information [1,2]. The main advantages of the Internet as a source of information are that it offers a large variety of healthrelated websites (from online health discussion forums and medical online support groups to the national library of medicine) and is accessible 24/7. Its main drawbacks are quality heterogeneity and the quasi-inexistent regulation or control of these websites. The situation is different in critical care, as patients do not usually choose to be hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) and when they are hospitalized, they are often unable to use the Internet
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
