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Use of the Internet for Health Information and Communication

Use of the Internet for Health Information and Communication To the Editor: Dr Baker and colleagues1 found that men use the Internet to search for health information and to communicate with family and friends about half as often as do women.We view these results with concern because, at least in theory, the Internet has been heralded as a potentially powerful tool to help men access information and share it in ways that were not possible before.2 In response to this concern, we conducted a systematic search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with evidence on the impact of the Internet on men's health. Our results were disappointing. A search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, HealthSTAR, EMBASE, DARE, and PsychINFO using the key words and MeSH terms men, male, Internet, clinical trials, controlled trials, and randomized controlled trials from 1966 to May 22, 2003, yielded 20 RCTs. None examined specific men's health issues or assessed the impact of Internet-mediated communication on health-related outcomes or the relationship of men with health care professionals involved in their care. Nonetheless, there were 3 trials of Internet-mediated communication among women.3-5 The dearth of research on interventions that could help overcome the current imbalance of use of the Internet to improve men's health is unacceptable. Studies could be conducted on how innovative information communication technologies could help men communicate effectively and efficiently about their health, participate in preventive health activities, and modify their negative behaviors toward themselves and others. Letters Section Editor: Stephen J. Lurie, MD, PhD, Senior Editor. References 1. Baker L, Wagner TH, Singer S, Bundorf MK. Use of the Internet and e-mail for health care information: results from a national survey. JAMA. 2003;289:2400-2406. PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 2. Meryn S, Jadad AR. The future of men and their health. BMJ. 2001;323:1013-1014. PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 3. Celio AA, Winzelberg AJ, Wilfley DE, et al. Reducing risk factors for eating disorders: comparison of an Internet- and a classroom-delivered psychoeducational program. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2000;68:650-657. PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 4. Winzelberg AJ, Eppstein D, Eldredge KL, et al. Effectiveness of an Internet-based program for reducing risk factors for eating disorders. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2000;68:346-350. PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 5. Winzelberg AJ, Classen C, Alpers GW, et al. Evaluation of an Internet support group for women with primary breast cancer. Cancer. 2003;97:1164-1173. PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png JAMA American Medical Association

Use of the Internet for Health Information and Communication

JAMA , Volume 290 (17) – Nov 5, 2003

Use of the Internet for Health Information and Communication

Abstract

To the Editor: Dr Baker and colleagues1 found that men use the Internet to search for health information and to communicate with family and friends about half as often as do women.We view these results with concern because, at least in theory, the Internet has been heralded as a potentially powerful tool to help men access information and share it in ways that were not possible before.2 In response to this concern, we conducted a systematic search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with...
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References (5)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0098-7484
eISSN
1538-3598
DOI
10.1001/jama.290.17.2257
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

To the Editor: Dr Baker and colleagues1 found that men use the Internet to search for health information and to communicate with family and friends about half as often as do women.We view these results with concern because, at least in theory, the Internet has been heralded as a potentially powerful tool to help men access information and share it in ways that were not possible before.2 In response to this concern, we conducted a systematic search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with evidence on the impact of the Internet on men's health. Our results were disappointing. A search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, HealthSTAR, EMBASE, DARE, and PsychINFO using the key words and MeSH terms men, male, Internet, clinical trials, controlled trials, and randomized controlled trials from 1966 to May 22, 2003, yielded 20 RCTs. None examined specific men's health issues or assessed the impact of Internet-mediated communication on health-related outcomes or the relationship of men with health care professionals involved in their care. Nonetheless, there were 3 trials of Internet-mediated communication among women.3-5 The dearth of research on interventions that could help overcome the current imbalance of use of the Internet to improve men's health is unacceptable. Studies could be conducted on how innovative information communication technologies could help men communicate effectively and efficiently about their health, participate in preventive health activities, and modify their negative behaviors toward themselves and others. Letters Section Editor: Stephen J. Lurie, MD, PhD, Senior Editor. References 1. Baker L, Wagner TH, Singer S, Bundorf MK. Use of the Internet and e-mail for health care information: results from a national survey. JAMA. 2003;289:2400-2406. PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 2. Meryn S, Jadad AR. The future of men and their health. BMJ. 2001;323:1013-1014. PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 3. Celio AA, Winzelberg AJ, Wilfley DE, et al. Reducing risk factors for eating disorders: comparison of an Internet- and a classroom-delivered psychoeducational program. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2000;68:650-657. PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 4. Winzelberg AJ, Eppstein D, Eldredge KL, et al. Effectiveness of an Internet-based program for reducing risk factors for eating disorders. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2000;68:346-350. PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 5. Winzelberg AJ, Classen C, Alpers GW, et al. Evaluation of an Internet support group for women with primary breast cancer. Cancer. 2003;97:1164-1173. PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref

Journal

JAMAAmerican Medical Association

Published: Nov 5, 2003

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