A snapshot of renal transplant patients using medical web browsing.

Objectives: This study explored the pattern of Internet use by renal transplant patients in the West of Scotland.

Materials And Methods: A 31-item questionnaire was used to obtain information about patient's Internet use and the relations between Internet use and sex, age, education, and health requirements.

Results: The study consists of 84 postrenal transplant patient surveys. Validation of the questionnaire showed an intraclass correlation coefficient 0.77 to 0.96 with 95% confidence interval (CI 0.75-0.99). The overall response rate was 65% (n=84/130). In all, 87% of the patients (n=73/84) had access to a computer and the Internet. And 94% of the patients (n=60/64) in age groups 21 to 60 years had access to the Internet with no difference in the access in various age subgroups, whereas 67% of the patients (n=12/18) in age group 61 to 70 years (P = .004) had Internet access. The Internet was a preferred source of health information for 70% of the patients (n=59/84) as compared to books 17% (n=14/84; P = .003) and magazines 12% (n=10/84; P = .001). Of the Internet group, 90% (n=53/59) looked up information on transplantation mostly about transplant operations (69%) and rejection (66%). Of all the patients, 85% (n=71/84) of them would like the transplant team to develop a Web site for information on transplantation and 52 (62%) would like to receive health advice by e-mail.

Conclusions: The majority of renal transplant patients use the Internet for information on transplantation. Almost all patients under 60 years old had access to the Internet for this purpose; suggesting a trend toward the Internet as the favored way to get information. Transplant units should develop flexible, Web-based sources of transplant-related information. This would allow rapid adaptation to changes in prevalent practice, reflecting the preferences of the patient population.