Use of communication technology by mothers of children with oncological diseases

vol.8, pp.70-78, 2016 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

We investigated the use of communication technology, specifically having internet and use of internet for

receiving medical information, by mothers of children with oncological diseases. A total of 52 mothers were included

in this study. There were 21 subjects in Group 1 (≤30 years old), 21 subjects in Group 2 (31–40 years old), and 10

subjects in Group 3 (41–50 years old). A questionnaire related to the use of communication technology was given to

all subjects. In Groups 2 and 3, the rates of having a computer (90.0% and 85.7%) and internet access (80.0% and

71.4%) were higher than those in Group 1. A total of 47.6% to 70% of mothers had acquired information before

visiting the physician, the sources of which were the internet (38.1%–50.0%) and “someone who experienced the

same condition previously” (20.0–23.8%). Physicians’ personal sites and internet forums were the most frequently

visited web sites. The most frequently accessed information source after learning about a child’s illness other than a

physician was also the internet (33.3–57.1%). The mothers in Group 2 used knowledge gain from the internet to ask

more informed questions to physicians regarding treatment planning (42% of mothers in Group 2). For all groups, the

most reliable source in terms of accuracy of information was the physician (90.5–100.0%). We conclude that mothers

of children with oncological diseases use the internet to obtain more information about a child’s illness. Physicians

are still the most reliable source of information.