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Internet and e-mail use in ENT: a survey of patient usage and satisfaction

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Abstract

Nowadays, internet and e-mail are important modes of communication and information. This paper seeks to determine internet usage as a source of health information amongst ENT patients and to investigate whether patients prefer to communicate primarily with the hospital via e-mail. The method used is a questionnaire study and 201 patients attending an ENT clinic completed questionnaires over 2 weeks in December 2010. Of those with internet access (85%), 37% had used it for health information prior to their appointment; 90% rated the information between average and excellent; over half stated they would like doctor-recommended websites. Overall, 8% had previously used e-mail to communicate with healthcare professionals, but 50% stated that they wished to use e-mail in the future. ENT patients are becoming increasingly computer-literate. As healthcare professionals, we must do more to incorporate the internet as a source of reliable healthcare information. Properly implemented, e-mail can become an invaluable method of communication with patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK

    B. Shaw

  2. ENT Department, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ, UK

    A. Farboud, A. Trinidade & P. Kothari

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  1. B. Shaw
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  2. A. Farboud
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  3. A. Trinidade
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  4. P. Kothari
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Correspondence to A. Trinidade.

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Shaw, B., Farboud, A., Trinidade, A. et al. Internet and e-mail use in ENT: a survey of patient usage and satisfaction. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 269, 1051–1054 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-011-1773-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-011-1773-x

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