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Cited by 122Health Literacy and Information AccessibilityCancer survivorship and careNursing care and research

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 54 of the 54 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

The role of the Internet in supporting and informing carers of people with cancer: a literature review

Kinnane, Nicole A., Milne, Donna J.·2010·Supportive Care in Cancer
DOI 10.1007/s00520-010-0863-4
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Abstract

Background The Internet is an expanding source of information and support for cancer patients and their families. Studies mostly report patient Internet use. Little is known about how carers (families/informal caregivers/friends) use the Internet and what they find useful.Aim The aim of this paper was to review the literature on the role of the Internet in supporting and informing carers of people with cancer.Materials and methods Findings are based on a review of published studies identified from 1996-2009 Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and 2002-2009 PsycINFO, Cochrane database and Google Scholar. Key search words used were cancer, patient, information, Internet, online, web, support, family, carer, caregiver and friend.Results One hundred forty-five abstracts were reviewed. Fifty-two articles were retrieved in full text. Twenty of the 52 articles were critically appraised using the appropriate Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. All studies retrieved were level IV evidence. Most compared carer and patient Internet use with other cancer information sources or analysed content of postings to web sites. Some reported on patient 'indirect' Internet use through carers. Heterogeneity of results related to different study aims, diversity in study tools, varying sample sizes and differing cancer populations. Broadly, Internet use can be divided into information searching and support group activity. Carers access Internet information to problem solve; however, they report doctors as their most preferred information source. They would like to have e-mail communication with Health Care Professionals to ask questions and clarify information. Participation in online support groups provides information tailored to individual needs and peer support.Implications for practice The Internet may be a primary or secondary source of information and can be used to access services. Routine assessment of carers' Internet use, prescribing of Internet sites and e-mail communication with carers are possible areas for practice improvement. The current level of evidence is not ideal to influence policy development.Conclusions Research is required to evaluate carer Internet use in the rapidly changing world of health and technology. Interactive Internet applications developed specifically for carer use have the potential to prepare, inform and support the carer in their ever-expanding health care role. The impact of these services on carer quality of life also requires investigation.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s00520-010-0863-4

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Metadata

Authors
Kinnane, N. A., & Milne, D. J.
Affiliations
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (AU)
Corresponding author
Kinnane, Nicole A.
ORCID
Venue
Supportive Care in Cancer
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2010-03-25
Volume
18
Issue
9
Pages
1123-1136
ISSN
  • 0941-4355 (ISSN-L)
  • 1433-7339
DOI
10.1007/s00520-010-0863-4
OpenAlex
W2078737975
Cited by
121
References
54
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 11
FWCI
1.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Supportive Care in Cancer (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Research and Theory › Nursing care and research
Keywords
internet use, informal caregivers, online support groups, peer support, health information seeking, caregiver quality of life, family caregivers, patient information sources
MeSH terms
Female, Humans, Male, Neoplasms, Social Support, Caregivers, Internet, Information Dissemination, Consumer Health Information

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