Do Internet interventions for consumers cause more harm than good? A systematic review.

Objective To systematically review the effect of consumer use of online health information on decision-making, attitudes, knowledge, satisfaction and health outcomes and utilization. Search strategy Electronic databases searched included the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, PREMEDLINE (...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health Expectations Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 28 - 38
Main Authors: Bessell TL, Mcdonald S, Silagy CA, Anderson JN, Hiller JE, Sansom LN
Format: research systematic review Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Mar2002
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=106096642&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ccm
    uiTerm: 106096642
    longDbName: CINAHL Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    dissinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        13696513
        EVY
      jtl: Health Expectations
      issn: 13696513
      maglogo: Y
    pubinfo:
      dt: Mar2002
      vid: 5
      iid: 1
      pid: 480
      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
      place: Malden, Massachusetts
    artinfo:
      ui:
        106096642
        2009446672
        10.1046/j.1369-6513.2002.00156.x
        NLM11906539
        106096642
      ppf: 28
      ppct: 10
      formats:
        fmt:
          @attributes:
            type: P
      tig:
        atl: Do Internet interventions for consumers cause more harm than good? A systematic review.
      aug:
        au:
          Bessell TL
          Mcdonald S
          Silagy CA
          Anderson JN
          Hiller JE
          Sansom LN
      sug:
        subj:
          Consumer Satisfaction
          Decision Making
          Health Education Methods
          Information Services Utilization
          Internet Utilization
          Attitude to Health
          Consumer Participation
          Health Behavior
          Health Services Needs and Demand
          Treatment Outcomes
          Human
      ab: Objective To systematically review the effect of consumer use of online health information on decision-making, attitudes, knowledge, satisfaction and health outcomes and utilization. Search strategy Electronic databases searched included the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, PREMEDLINE (to 14 March 2001), CINAHL, Australian Medical Index, Health and Society, National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Database and CenterWatch. Inclusion criteria All post-1995 comparative studies (including controlled studies, before and after studies, and interrupted time series analyses) of Internet users vs. non-Internet users and other communications mediums, and Internet characteristics such as e-mail vs. other communication mediums, were included. Outcomes included consumer decision-making, attitudes, knowledge, satisfaction and measurable changes in health status or health utilization. Data extraction and synthesis One reviewer screened all papers then two reviewers independently assessed studies against the selection criteria and any discrepancies were resolved by discussion with a third reviewer. No attempt was made to combine the data for further statistical analysis. Main results We identified 10 comparative studies. Studies evaluated the effectiveness of using the Internet to deliver a smoking cessation programme, cardiac and nutrition educational programmes, behavioural interventions for headache and weight loss, and pharmacy and augmentative services. All studies showed some positive effects on health outcomes, although the methodological quality of many studies was poor. Conclusions Despite widespread consumer Internet use to obtain health-care information, there is almost a complete lack of evidence of any effects this may have on health outcomes.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        systematic review
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
    refInfo:
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N