[What kind of health information search the spinal cord injured patients from Spain on the internet?].

INTRODUCTION

Internet is an alternative for health education to the population. Spinal cord injured individuals usually consult the Internet about their health problems.

AIM: To identify the health information sources, the more consulted items and the confidence in Internet information of a group of spinal cord injured individuals from Spain.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A survey to spinal cord injured individuals from Spain was conducted, with a questionnaire in Google Drive. It was accessible with a link in ASPAYM-Asturias web page. The questionnaire included epidemiological data and information about Internet use and confidence in its contents.

RESULTS

121 individuals answered the survey, 64% male, with an average age of 45 years. The predominant aetiology was traumatic (70%) and 72% were paraplegics. 83% prefer to consult health care providers directly. More of 70% of the sample searches health problems on the Internet, mostly web pages in Spanish. The preferred item was 'orthopaedic materials and wheelchairs'. 27% of the sample trusts in the Internet information and 32% don't.

CONCLUSIONS

This research provides information about Internet use of spinal cord injured individuals in Spain. Although we have to admit some bias in the study, more than 70% of the sample searches health problems on the Internet, mostly web pages in Spanish. About one in four individuals trust in information from Internet and most of the sample prefers recommendations directly from healthcare professionals.