Computer Access and Internet Use by Urban and Suburban Emergency Department Customers

• Published in: The Journal of emergency medicine 2012-07, Vol.43 (1), p.159-165
• Main Authors: Bond, Michael C., MD, FACEP, FAAEM, Klemt, Ryan, MD, Merlis, Jennifer, MD, Kopinski, Judith E., MD, Hirshon, Jon Mark, MD, MPH, FACEP, FAAEM
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; African Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Appointments and Schedules; Child; Child, Preschool; computer access; Drug Prescriptions; Electronic Health Records; Electronic Mail - utilization; Emergency; emergency departments; Emergency Service, Hospital; European Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data; Female; health care information; Health Records, Personal; Humans; Information Seeking Behavior; Insurance, Health; Internet - statistics & numerical data; Internet - utilization; Internet access; Interviews as Topic; Male; Microcomputers - statistics & numerical data; Microcomputers - utilization; Middle Aged; Socioeconomic Factors; Suburban Population - statistics & numerical data; Urban Population - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0736-4679; 2352-5029
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2011.03.034

Abstract Background Patients are increasingly using the Internet (43% in 2000 vs. 70% in 2006) to obtain health information, but is there a difference in the ability of urban and suburban emergency department (ED) customers to access the Internet? Study Objective To assess computer and Internet resources available to and used by people waiting to be seen in an urban ED and a suburban ED. Methods Individuals waiting in the ED were asked survey questions covering demographics, type of insurance, access to a primary care provider, reason for their ED visit, computer access, and ability to access the Internet for health-related matters. Results There were 304 individuals who participated, 185 in the urban ED and 119 in the suburban ED. Urban subjects were more likely than suburban to be women, black, have low household income, and were less likely to have insurance. The groups were similar in regard to average age, education, and having a primary care physician. Suburban respondents were more likely to own a computer, but the majority in both groups had access to computers and the Internet. Their frequency of accessing the Internet was similar, as were their reasons for using it. Individuals from the urban ED were less willing to schedule appointments via the Internet but more willing to contact their health care provider via e-mail. The groups were equally willing to use the Internet to fill prescriptions and view laboratory results. Conclusion Urban and suburban ED customers had similar access to the Internet. Both groups were willing to use the Internet to access personal health information.