Vinaya Manchaiah1, Ilmari Pyykkő2, Nora Pyykkő3. 1. Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas, USA. 2. Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing and Balance Research Unit, University of Tampere, Finland. 3. University of Tartu School of Medicine, Tartu, Estonia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The present study explored the use of the Internet and social media by individuals with Ménière's disease (MD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study utilized a retrospective design and included the data of 465 individuals with MD from the Finnish Ménière Federation (FMF) database. Moreover, the participants included 346 females (i.e., approximately 75% of the sample), with roughly 95% of which middle-aged or older adults. An Internet-based survey was used to collect the demographic information and determine the use of the Internet and social media by individuals with MD in order to establish a computer-based peer support program. RESULTS: Based on the findings, more than 90% of the respondents reported using the Internet, 70% used the Internet to gather information about MD, and 47% stated that they trusted the information on the Internet. CONCLUSION: The Internet and social media are frequently used by individuals with MD to gather information about their health conditions. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that appropriate and accurate information is available via Internet websites and social media platforms.
OBJECTIVES: The present study explored the use of the Internet and social media by individuals with Ménière's disease (MD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study utilized a retrospective design and included the data of 465 individuals with MD from the Finnish Ménière Federation (FMF) database. Moreover, the participants included 346 females (i.e., approximately 75% of the sample), with roughly 95% of which middle-aged or older adults. An Internet-based survey was used to collect the demographic information and determine the use of the Internet and social media by individuals with MD in order to establish a computer-based peer support program. RESULTS: Based on the findings, more than 90% of the respondents reported using the Internet, 70% used the Internet to gather information about MD, and 47% stated that they trusted the information on the Internet. CONCLUSION: The Internet and social media are frequently used by individuals with MD to gather information about their health conditions. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that appropriate and accurate information is available via Internet websites and social media platforms.
Authors: Elisabet Sundewall Thorén; Marie Oberg; Gunilla Wänström; Gerhard Andersson; Thomas Lunner Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2013-05-09 Impact factor: 5.428