Online self-care tools go unnoticed by women with chronic diseases

Although it may be time consuming and frustrating, teaching older women the potential health benefits associated with the internet is important. Research from Oregon State University (OSU) shows chronically ill middle-aged women are not taking advantage of the possible ways to maintain health.

Lead by researchers from OSU's College of Public Health and Human Sciences and the University of Georgia, the study analyzed the internet use for health purposes of 418 women over the age of 44 with at least one chronic condition. The factors of age, their specific condition, educational level and ethnic background were also included. The study analyzed two different aspects; the first studied sociodemographic, types of diseases and healthcare management through the internet, and the second analyzed 251 women who used the internet to find self-care.

The team found that 35 percent did not use the internet. Of those that did, less than half used it to learn about other patients who shared their chronic disease, and less than 20 percent participated in online discussions about their conditions. Women with diabetes and depression wanted help in learning more about how to manage symptoms and how to improve self-care at a much higher rate than participants with other chronic diseases.

"We want people to be able to optimize their health," said Carolyn Mendez-Luck, assistant professor at OSU's School of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences. "We need to give them a chance to get connected to community resources like libraries and senior centers that try to do education to dispel that fear or discomfort older women might have regarding technology. And more research needs to be done to determine how to tailor that online information in a way that meets their needs."