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Internet Use (internet + use)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences57%
Humanities and Social Sciences26%
Psychology6%
Business, Economics, Finance and Accounting6%

Selected Abstracts

INTERNET USE AMONG PARENTS OF PATIENTS OF A PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY CLINIC

PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2000
Chan-Ho Lai M.D.
[source]

An Evaluation of Two Characterizations of the Relationships Between Problematic Internet Use, Time Spent Using the Internet, and Psychosocial Problems

HUMAN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH, Issue 4 2010
Robert S. Tokunaga
This article reports tests of the relationships between problematic Internet use (PIU), time spent using the Internet, and psychosocial problems from the two perspectives. Ten individual meta-analyses were first conducted to identify weighted mean correlations among the five variables included within the models. The correlations derived from the meta-analyses were subsequently used in path analysis to test the alternative characterizations. The results offer some support for the deficient self-regulation model but provide relatively little evidence consistent with the pathology perspective of PIU. Une évaluation de deux caractérisations des relations entre l'utilisation problématique d'Internet, le temps consacréà Internet et les problèmes psychosociaux Robert Shota Tokunaga & Stephen A. Rains Cet article rend compte de tests des relations entre l'utilisation problématique d'Internet (UPI), le temps consacréà Internet et les problèmes psychologiques du point de vue de deux perspectives : celle de la pathologie et celle de l'auto-régulation déficiente. Dix méta-analyses individuelles ont d'abord été menées pour identifier des corrélations moyennes pondérées parmi les cinq variables incluses dans les modèles. Les corrélations tirées des méta-analyses ont ensuite été utilisées dans des analyses causales afin de tester les caractérisations alternatives. Les résultats appuient en partie le modèle de l'auto-régulation déficiente, mais offrent relativement peu de soutien à la perspective pathologique de l'UPI. Zur Bewertung des Verhältnisses zwischen problematischem Internetgebrauch, Internetnutzungszeit und psychosozialen Problemen Robert Shota Tokunaga & Stephen A. Rains Dieser Artikel befasst sich mit der Überprüfung des Zusammenhangs zwischen problematischem Internetgebrauch, der Internetnutzungszeit und psychosozialen Problemen aus zwei Blickwinkeln. Wir führten zehn Meta-Analysen durch, um die gewichteten Mittelwertskorrelationen zwischen den fünf Variablen des Modells zu identifizieren. Die Korrelationen der Meta-Analysen wurden anschließend in eine Pfadanalyse überführt, um alternative Blickwinkel zu prüfen. Die Ergebnisse stützen zum Teil das defizitäre Selbstregulierungsmodell, bieten aber wenig Anhaltspunkte für eine pathologische Perspektive auf einen problematischen Internetgebrauch. Evaluando Dos Caracterizaciones de las Relaciones entre el Uso Problemático del Internet, el Tiempo Dedicado al Uso del Internet, y los Problemas Sicológicos Robert Shota Tokunaga & Stephen A. Rains Department of Communication, University of Arizona Resumen Este artículo reporta las pruebas de las relaciones entre el uso problemático del Internet PIU, el tiempo empleado en el uso del Internet, y los problemas psico-sociales desde 2 perspectivas. 10 meta análisis individuales fueron conducidos primero para identificar el promedio medido de las correlaciones entre las 5 variables incluías dentro de los modelos. Las correlaciones derivadas de los meta-análisis fueron usados subsecuentemente en el análisis de trayectoria para poner a prueba las caracterizaciones alternativas. Los resultados ofrecen algo de apoyo al modelo de auto regulación deficiente, pero proveen de relativamente poca evidencia consistente con la perspectiva patológica del PIU. [source]

The Association Between Internet Use and Depressive Symptoms Among South Korean Adolescents

JOURNAL FOR SPECIALISTS IN PEDIATRIC NURSING, Issue 4 2009
Sunhee ParkArticle first published online: 28 APR 200
PURPOSE., This study explores the cross-sectional relationship between Internet use and depressive symptoms in South Korean adolescents. DESIGN AND METHODS., Existing data, the three-wave Korean Youth Panel Survey, were analyzed. The sample was a cohort representing the population of second-year students at Korean middle schools in 2003 (N = 3,449). Multivariate logistic regression was used. RESULTS., A one-unit increase in Internet use was positively associated with a 20.7% increase in risk for depressive symptoms. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS., It may be worthwhile for nursing professionals to inquire about Internet use as part of a measure of screening for depressive symptoms in teens. [source]

Situating Internet Use: Information-Seeking Among Young Women with Breast Cancer

JOURNAL OF COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION, Issue 3 2010
Ellen Balka
In recent years considerable attention has been focused on the potential of the Internet as a means of health information delivery that can meet varied health information needs and empower patients. In this article, we explore utilization of the Internet as a means of health information consumption amongst young women with breast cancer who were known Internet users. Focusing on a population known to be competent at using the Internet allowed us to eliminate the digital divide as a possible explanation for limited use of the Internet for health information-seeking. Ultimately, this allowed us to demonstrate that even in this Internet savvy population, the Internet is not necessarily an unproblematic means of disseminating health care information, and to demonstrate that the huge amount of health care information available does not automatically mean that information is useful to those who seek it, or even particularly easy to find. Results from our qualitative study suggest that young women with breast cancer sought information about their illness in order to make a health related decision, to learn what would come next, or to pursue social support. Our respondents reported that the Internet was one source of many that they consulted when seeking information about their illness, and it was not the most trusted or most utilized source of information this population sought. [source]

Essentials of Internet Use in Nursing

JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2003
A. Weale
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Oncologists Disagree on Impact of Patient Internet Use

CA: A CANCER JOURNAL FOR CLINICIANS, Issue 3 2003
Article first published online: 31 DEC 200
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Internet use and suicide among younger age groups between 1989 and 2008 in Japan

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2010
A. Hagihara
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Teaching oral surgery to undergraduate students: a pilot study using a Web-based practical course

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 3 2003
Luciana Corrêa
The Internet has been used in oral surgery teaching mainly to deliver learning material across the World Wide Web and to make use of online interactivity resources in everyday surgical practice, such as by e-mails, discussion groups, and chats. The aim of this paper is to describe and evaluate a Web-based practical course on oral surgery principles, which was applied to undergraduate students. This course was investigated as a distance learning simulation in which the student would be performing surgical activities at home, and the teacher and the school environment would be absent. A Web site was created containing the course material. For this study, the students participated in the Web-based course in a multimedia lab equipped with computers and Internet, internal sound system and TV circuits. In the event of significant mistakes by students, the TV circuit could be used to show the correct procedure for all the participants at the same time. Microcameras were used to monitor the student's actions during the Internet use. Students' impressions were determined by a questionnaire. Computer manipulation with ease and antiergonomic postures were observed. We concluded that distance learning courses with practical modules must be considered as a special type of educational modality, with reference to the relationship between the student and the computer. [source]

Carers and the digital divide: factors affecting Internet use among carers in the UK

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 3 2005
Clare Blackburn BA (Hons) DipHE RHV RGN
Abstract This paper presents data from a cross-sectional survey of 3014 adult carers, examining use of the Internet and factors associated with it. Carers recruited from the databases of three local authorities and other carer organisations within their geographical boundaries and that of Carers UK, a national carers organisation, were sent a postal questionnaire (response rate: 40%). A comparison of our data with national data on carers suggests some under-representation of men and younger adult carers and some over-representation of those who had been caring for long periods and those with substantial caring responsibilities. Two measures of Internet use were used and are presented in this analysis: previous use (ever used vs never previously used) and frequency (less than once a week vs once a week or more). Bivariate analyses identified patterns of Internet use and socio-demographic and socio-economic factors and caring circumstances associated with them. Factors significantly associated with each measure of Internet use were entered into direct logistic regression analyses to identify factors significantly associated with each measure. Half (50%) of all carers had previously used the Internet. Of this group, 61% had used it once a week or more frequently. Factors significantly associated with having previously used the Internet were carer's age, employment status, housing tenure and number of hours per week they spent caring. Frequency of Internet use was significantly associated with carer's age, sex, employment status and number of hours spent caring. Our study suggests that a significant number of carers may not currently be Internet users and that age, gender, socio-economic status and caring responsibilities shape Internet use in particular ways. Given the targets set by government for the development of online services, it is important to address the digital divide among carers and to continue to develop other services and information systems to meet the needs of those who do not access the Internet. [source]

Internet use by end-stage renal disease patients

HEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2007
Emily SETO
Abstract Information on the prevalence and predictors of use of the Internet by patients can be applied to the design and promotion of healthcare Internet technologies. To our knowledge, few studies on Internet use by end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have been reported. The objectives of this study are to ascertain the prevalence and predictors of Internet use by ESRD patients among different dialysis modalities. A questionnaire surveying Internet use was delivered in person to 199 conventional hemodialysis patients (57 returned), and mailed to 170 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients (42 returned), and 65 nocturnal home hemodialysis (NHD) patients (43 returned). Of the respondents, most (58%) have used the Internet to find information on their health condition. The strong majority (76%) of these patients have easy access to the Internet. A higher proportion of NHD patients (86%) used the Internet compared with the PD patients (60%) (p=0.02). Internet use was found to be more prevalent with younger (p<0.001), more educated (p=0.001), and Canadian-born patients (p=0.005). The high prevalence of Internet use and easy access to the Internet by ESRD patients suggest that future Internet information and communication systems for healthcare management in ESRD will likely be well adopted by this patient population. [source]

An Evaluation of Two Characterizations of the Relationships Between Problematic Internet Use, Time Spent Using the Internet, and Psychosocial Problems

HUMAN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH, Issue 4 2010
Robert S. Tokunaga
This article reports tests of the relationships between problematic Internet use (PIU), time spent using the Internet, and psychosocial problems from the two perspectives. Ten individual meta-analyses were first conducted to identify weighted mean correlations among the five variables included within the models. The correlations derived from the meta-analyses were subsequently used in path analysis to test the alternative characterizations. The results offer some support for the deficient self-regulation model but provide relatively little evidence consistent with the pathology perspective of PIU. Une évaluation de deux caractérisations des relations entre l'utilisation problématique d'Internet, le temps consacréà Internet et les problèmes psychosociaux Robert Shota Tokunaga & Stephen A. Rains Cet article rend compte de tests des relations entre l'utilisation problématique d'Internet (UPI), le temps consacréà Internet et les problèmes psychologiques du point de vue de deux perspectives : celle de la pathologie et celle de l'auto-régulation déficiente. Dix méta-analyses individuelles ont d'abord été menées pour identifier des corrélations moyennes pondérées parmi les cinq variables incluses dans les modèles. Les corrélations tirées des méta-analyses ont ensuite été utilisées dans des analyses causales afin de tester les caractérisations alternatives. Les résultats appuient en partie le modèle de l'auto-régulation déficiente, mais offrent relativement peu de soutien à la perspective pathologique de l'UPI. Zur Bewertung des Verhältnisses zwischen problematischem Internetgebrauch, Internetnutzungszeit und psychosozialen Problemen Robert Shota Tokunaga & Stephen A. Rains Dieser Artikel befasst sich mit der Überprüfung des Zusammenhangs zwischen problematischem Internetgebrauch, der Internetnutzungszeit und psychosozialen Problemen aus zwei Blickwinkeln. Wir führten zehn Meta-Analysen durch, um die gewichteten Mittelwertskorrelationen zwischen den fünf Variablen des Modells zu identifizieren. Die Korrelationen der Meta-Analysen wurden anschließend in eine Pfadanalyse überführt, um alternative Blickwinkel zu prüfen. Die Ergebnisse stützen zum Teil das defizitäre Selbstregulierungsmodell, bieten aber wenig Anhaltspunkte für eine pathologische Perspektive auf einen problematischen Internetgebrauch. Evaluando Dos Caracterizaciones de las Relaciones entre el Uso Problemático del Internet, el Tiempo Dedicado al Uso del Internet, y los Problemas Sicológicos Robert Shota Tokunaga & Stephen A. Rains Department of Communication, University of Arizona Resumen Este artículo reporta las pruebas de las relaciones entre el uso problemático del Internet PIU, el tiempo empleado en el uso del Internet, y los problemas psico-sociales desde 2 perspectivas. 10 meta análisis individuales fueron conducidos primero para identificar el promedio medido de las correlaciones entre las 5 variables incluías dentro de los modelos. Las correlaciones derivadas de los meta-análisis fueron usados subsecuentemente en el análisis de trayectoria para poner a prueba las caracterizaciones alternativas. Los resultados ofrecen algo de apoyo al modelo de auto regulación deficiente, pero proveen de relativamente poca evidencia consistente con la perspectiva patológica del PIU. [source]

Internet use by patients in an inflammatory bowel disease specialty clinic

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 10 2007
Robert R. Cima MD
Abstract Background: Patient education is known to improve satisfaction in and participation with treatment. A careful assessment of internet use by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients to gather information has not been reported. Our aim was to evaluate internet use to gather general health- and disease-specific information in patients presenting to an IBD clinic. Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous survey using a convenience sample of patients (N = 175) at a tertiary-care institution's IBD clinic was performed. Results: In all, 169 surveys (97%) were returned for analysis. The median age was 46 (17,84), 83 men and 81 women (5 missing). In known IBD patients (87%), 85 (50%) had Crohn's disease and 62 (37%) ulcerative colitis; 81% of patients had home internet access. The most common information sources were: gastroenterologists (59%), internet (54%), and primary-care physicians (54%). Ninety-two patients (54%) used the internet to gather IBD-specific information. Age-specific use (<40, 40,65, >65) was 73%, 48%, 37.5%, respectively. There was a significant positive association between level of education and internet use (P < 0.0001), but not with income. Internet sites most commonly visited were organization- or institution-specific. Factors that most influenced a user's choice of an internet site were noncommercial status (59%) and ease of use (53%). The majority of patients (57%) rated internet information "trustworthy" to "very trustworthy." Conclusions: Over half of patients in an IBD clinic used the internet to gather IBD-specific information. Use was inversely associated with age and positively correlated with education level. There was no income association. These findings suggest web-based IBD information may become increasingly important in the future. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2007) [source]

Marketing information systems in tourism and hospitality small- and medium-sized enterprises: a study of Internet use for market intelligence

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH, Issue 4 2001
Emma Wood
Abstract This study investigates the nature of marketing information systems (MkIS) within small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and focuses on the importance of external information and market intelligence. The sources of market intelligence are investigated with particular emphasis on understanding the usefulness of the Internet for external information gathering. The empirical research to support the study uses survey methods to investigate marketing information systems, market intelligence and Internet use within hospitality and tourism SMEs in the Yorkshire and Humber region. The findings indicate that SMEs in this sector make use of informal marketing information systems which mainly concentrate on internal and immediate operating environment data. Important wider market intelligence is underutilised owing mainly to the resource constraints of these smaller businesses. The Internet has not yet been recognised as an important source for market intelligence despite having the benefits of providing much of the necessary data more quickly and at a lower cost than many other sources. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

The Association Between Internet Use and Depressive Symptoms Among South Korean Adolescents

JOURNAL FOR SPECIALISTS IN PEDIATRIC NURSING, Issue 4 2009
Sunhee ParkArticle first published online: 28 APR 200
PURPOSE., This study explores the cross-sectional relationship between Internet use and depressive symptoms in South Korean adolescents. DESIGN AND METHODS., Existing data, the three-wave Korean Youth Panel Survey, were analyzed. The sample was a cohort representing the population of second-year students at Korean middle schools in 2003 (N = 3,449). Multivariate logistic regression was used. RESULTS., A one-unit increase in Internet use was positively associated with a 20.7% increase in risk for depressive symptoms. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS., It may be worthwhile for nursing professionals to inquire about Internet use as part of a measure of screening for depressive symptoms in teens. [source]

Spanish Content on Hospital Websites: An Analysis of U.S. Hospitals' in Concentrated Latino Communities

JOURNAL OF COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION, Issue 4 2010
Linda M. Gallant
This study explores the nature and extent of Spanish language translation of hospital websites. A quantitative content analysis of 121 U.S. hospital websites located in Hispanic communities was conducted. Results indicate that a significant number of U.S. hospitals fail on their websites to offer equal content for Spanish language users. The study also examines several factors potentially associated with the incidence of website translation. First, organizational factors such as hospital size, ownership type and formal statements of diversity commitment are investigated. Second, demographic factors such as county population size and Hispanic population size are also considered. Hispanics' use of the Internet, the digital divide, culture's impact on Internet use, and eHealth provide a background for discussion of the findings. [source]

The Social Affordances of the Internet for Networked Individualism

JOURNAL OF COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION, Issue 3 2003
Barry Wellman
We review the evidence from a number of surveys in which our NetLab has been involved about the extent to which the Internet is transforming or enhancing community. The studies show that the Internet is used for connectivity locally as well as globally, although the nature of its use varies in different countries. Internet use is adding on to other forms of communication, rather than replacing them. Internet use is reinforcing the pre-existing turn to societies in the developed world that are organized around networked individualism rather than group or local solidarities. The result has important implications for civic involvement. [source]

User Behavior and the "Globalness" of Internet: From a Taiwan Users' Perspective

JOURNAL OF COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION, Issue 2 2002
Chun Chou Liu
It is believed that the cyberworld knows no borders and boundaries. Users from all corners of the world are connected. However, the literature stops short of telling us how meaningful and valuable its "borderless" nature actually is to the Internet users themselves. Have they taken full advantage of whatever freedom is available to them in roaming the cyberworld? Do they venture beyond their language and/or cultural group to interact with those whoM they normally would have little opportunity to meet otherwise? To what extent do they take advantage of the opportunity to venture beyond the limits of their "real" worlds? Taiwan houses one of the most vigorous information industries in the world. This paper looks at the general patterns of Internet use in Taiwan, including online activities for communication, information access, and e-commerce. Secondly, a special effort is made to examine the "globalness" of Taiwan users' Internet behavior, and the factors contributing to these patterns of use. In Taiwan, the Internet as a medium may indeed be "global," yet the user continues to live within the "local," the "place" one relates to, where his/her needs and desires are generated, and where one feels a sense of belonging. One may briefly venture out of this locality to accomplish a task, fulfill a goal, or simply satisfy his/her curiosity; however, as pointed out by Wang and Servaes (2000), the importance, significance, and relevance of the global are not as great as that of the local. [source]

Diffusion, Use and Impact of the Internet in Hong Kong: A Chain Process Model

JOURNAL OF COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION, Issue 2 2002
Jonathan J. H. Zhu
Hong Kong appears to be a dream venue for the Internet as a mass medium: There are a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure, a population with both financial resources and bilingual (Chinese and English) abilities, and a legal environment in which there is virtually no government regulation of content. However, recent experience with the slow adoption of other new media in Hong Kong, including cable TV and interactive TV, has sounded a cautionary note about the potential use and impact of the Internet in this technologically sophisticated city. Based on a telephone survey of 1,000 adult residents, this paper examines the adoption, use, and social impact of the Internet in Hong Kong using a chain process model that was initially developed by Dutton, Rogers, and Jun (1987) for research on home computing. The results show that Internet adoption is affected by a full range of factors, including one's personal characteristics, socioeconomic status, socio-cultural settings, and perceived compatibility of the Internet. On the other hand, Internet use is primarily affected by socioeconomic status and perceived compatibility. The study also found that both adoption and use of the Internet have observable impact on leisure activities and concerns for privacy and other Internet-related negative consequences. However, these effects are not overarching but rather confined to specific attitudes and behavior. [source]

Computer Mediated Markets: An Introduction and Preliminary Test of Market Structure Impacts

JOURNAL OF COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION, Issue 3 2000
Charles Steinfield
Electronic commerce may influence the way in which goods are traded between businesses. Many believe that Internet-based business-to-business e-commerce will reduce the extent to which firms buying goods and services are "locked in" to a single supplier. Using a secondary analysis of data collected in late 1996 on firms' use of electronic networks for transactions, we empirically test the effects of Internet use on buyer lock-in. Results are weak, but suggest that using the Internet rather than proprietary computer networks in connecting with external trading partners appears to lessen a buying firm's dependence on its primary supplier. The Internet seems to be especially valuable in allowing small firms to connect to external constituents. [source]

Use of the Internet by parents of paediatric patients

JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 9 2006
Brynn K Wainstein
Aim: We aimed to determine the rate of Internet use for obtaining medical information by health-care patients at a tertiary paediatric hospital, whether the Internet may influence patients' attitudes to health-care services and health-care providers and whether patients would prefer the assistance of a professional informatics officer. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire randomly distributed to 450 subjects at Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Results: A total of 294 (65%) questionnaires were returned. Overall Internet use for medical information was 64% (189/294). Most (97%; 183/189) respondents reported ,wanting to know more' as the reason they sought information on the Internet. Eighty-eight per cent (167/189) of respondents reported that they trust their doctor more than the Internet. Twenty-one per cent (39/189) had presented their doctor with information about which he/she was unaware and 18% (34/189) had altered a health-care decision because of information found on the Internet. The Internet had influenced questions asked of doctors in 83% (156/189). Eighty-six per cent (252/294) of all respondents were in favour of professional assistance to obtain medical information. Conclusion: A large number of patients use the Internet to find information that influences their attitudes to health care. The services of a medical informatics professional would likely benefit both patients and doctors. [source]

Social Capital and the Internet: Evidence from Swiss Panel Data

KYKLOS INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2003
Axel Franzen
Summary A lively debate has recently emerged about the consequences of the diffusion of the Internet. While many social scientists emphasize the beneficial economic consequences of the Internet some suspect that it has also disadvantages for users' social capital. So far the existing empirical evidence concerning the effect on social capital is mainly based on cross-sectional data and is still contradictory. This study is based on a longitudinal survey conducted in 1998 and 2001 among a random sample of Swiss citizens. It analyzes the determinants of the adoption of the Internet and the consequences for respondents' personal networks as well as the time they spent socializing with their network. The results show that the Internet was adopted sooner by individuals with high financial, human and social capital. Furthermore, the results suggest that Internet use is not associated with a reduction in respondents' networks or with the time they spent socializing with friends. Instead the findings suggest that the time users devote to the Internet is taken away from the time they spend on watching television. [source]

Students' technology use and the impacts on well-being

NEW DIRECTIONS FOR STUDENT SERVICES, Issue 124 2008
Shelia R. Cotten
This chapter reviews technology use patterns and the social impacts of technology on well-being among college students. It provides empirical evidence delineating the processes through which Internet use affects well-being among college students, and provides suggestions for ways to advance future studies in this area and for higher education faculty and staff as they work with technologically savvy students. [source]

Causal relationship between Internet use and social capital in Japan

ASIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
Kakuko Miyata
Based on longitudinal data collected from a random sample panel survey, the present study found that different types of Internet usage are differentially related to social networks. The more social ties people have, the more likely they are to use personal computer (PC) email, and the use of PC email increases social ties. The results also show that the more supportive ties people have, the more they tend to use mobile phone email; however, it does not prove the use of mobile phone email increases supportive ties. However, participation in an online community is not related social networks. These findings suggest that PC email may increase the size of personal social networks, whereas mobile phone email is useful in maintaining existing strong ties which provide social support. [source]

Urology and the Internet: an evaluation of Internet use by urology patients and of information available on urological topics

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2000
G.O. Hellawell
Objective To determine the use of the Internet by urological patients for obtaining information about their disease, and to conduct an evaluation of urological websites to determine the quality of information available. Patients and methods Questionnaires about Internet use were completed by 180 patients attending a general urological outpatient clinic and by 143 patients attending a prostate cancer outpatient clinic. The Internet evaluation was conducted by reviewing 50 websites listed by the HotbotÔ search engine for two urological topics, prostate cancer and testicular cancer, and recording details such as authorship, information content, references and information scores. Results Of the patients actively seeking further information about their health, 19% of the general urological outpatient group and 24% of the prostate cancer group used the Internet to obtain this information. Most websites were either academic or biomedical (62%), provided conventional information (95%), and were not referenced (71%). The information score (range 10,100) was 44.3 for testicular cancer and 50.7 for prostate cancer; the difference in scores was not significant. Conclusion The use of the Internet by patients is increasing, with > 20% of urology patients using the Internet to obtain further information about their health. Most Internet websites for urological topics provide conventional and good quality information. Urologists should be aware of the need to familiarize themselves with urological websites. Patients can then be directed to high-quality sites to allow them to educate themselves and to help them avoid misleading or unconventional websites. [source]

On-line and on message?

BRITISH JOURNAL OF POLITICS & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, Issue 2 2003
Candidate websites in the 2001 General Election
The 2001 General Election generated considerable interest and also much criticism of politicians' use of the Internet. Via content analysis, search engines and database material, this article examines candidates' and local constituency parties' on-line activity in three areas: first, the extent of Internet use by candidates and local parties,who and how many candidates had live websites for the election?; second, the pattern of on-line activity at the local level,where were parties/candidates on-line?; and third, what were candidates doing on-line,did candidates experiment with interactivity, or use the new media as another top-down communication tool? The survey indicates that use of the Internet was patchy and websites often acted as little more than static on-line leaflets. Moreover, the overall impact of the Internet on electoral outcomes was minimal and use of the technology by itself is unlikely to herald the coming of e-democracy. However, we also argue that some of the criticism levelled at parties is misplaced and that there are good reasons why parties have so far behaved cautiously. [source]

Internet use for corporate environmental reporting: current challenges,technical benefits,practical guidance

BUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, Issue 3 2002
Ralf Isenmann
The huge opportunities of using the internet for corporate reporting are arranged in a comprehensive system of technical benefits. In order to give a tangible example and describe practical use thoroughly, the benefits are focused on environmental reporting but they can be transferred in major parts also to financial, social or sustainability reporting,seen as a currently emerging trend towards integrated financial, environmental and social reporting. In more detail, the system of internet-specific benefits is illustrated by four main categories: benefits concerning the underlying purposes of publishing reports, benefits concerning the entire reporting process, benefits concerning the report contents and benefits concerning the report design. In terms of corporate reporting, professional internet use will enhance the way in which companies give information, communicate and manage their business internally and externally, benefiting all members involved that are reporting companies, addressed key target groups and other stakeholders such as standard setting institutions and benchmarking organizations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment [source]

An event-related potential investigation of deficient inhibitory control in individuals with pathological Internet use

ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA, Issue 5 2010
Zhen-He Zhou
Zhou Z-H, Yuan G-Z, Yao J-J, Li C, Cheng Z-H. An event-related potential investigation of deficient inhibitory control in individuals with pathological Internet use. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate deficient inhibitory control in individuals with pathological Internet use (PIU) using a visual go/no-go task by event-related potentials (ERPs). Methods: Subjects were 26 individuals with PIU and 26 controls. Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11) was used for measures of impulsivity. A go/no-go task involved eight different two-digit numerical stimuli. The response window was 1000 ms and the inter-trial-interval (ITI) was 1500 ms. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded when participants performed the task. Brain electrical source analysis (BESA) 5.2.0 was used to perform data analysis and the no-go N2 amplitude was analysed for investigation of inhibitory control. Results: BIS-11 total scores, attentional key and motor key scores in PIU group were higher than that of the control group. In the go/no-go task, false alarm rate of PIU group was higher, and hit rate was lower than that of the control group. A repeated measure ANOVA revealed a significant group, frontal electrode sites and group × frontal electrode sites main effect for N2 amplitudes of no-go conditions (for group: F = 3953, df = 1, p = 0.000; for frontal electrode sites: F = 541, df = 9, p = 0.000; for group × frontal electrode sites: F = 306, df = 9, p = 0.000), and a significant group, central electrode sites and group × central electrode sites main effect for N2 amplitudes of no-go conditions (for group: F = 9074, df = 1, p = 0.000; for central electrode sites: F = 163, df = 2, p = 0.000; for group × central electrode sites: F = 73, df = 2, p = 0.000). N2 amplitudes of no-go conditions were lower than those at control group. Conclusions: Individuals with PIU were more impulsive than controls and shared neuropsychological and ERPs characteristics of compulsive-impulsive spectrum disorder, which supports that PIU is an impulse disorder or at least related to impulse control disorder. [source]

Use of the internet by colorectal cancer patients

COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 1 2006
S. M. Powell
Abstract Objective, To identify the frequency of Internet use by colorectal cancer patients. Materials and methods, Fifty patients interviews. Results, Only four patients (8%) had used the internet to access information about colorectal cancer though 36% would have used it if a site had been recommended. Conclusion, The Internet is a resource rarely used by patients but there is potential for its use as an adjunct to written and verbal information. [source]

Problematic internet use: Proposed classification and diagnostic criteria

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 4 2003
Nathan A. Shapira M.D., Ph.D.
Abstract Since the mid-1990s, there have been frequent reports of individuals whose use of the computer and internet is problematic. Given the recent expansion and the expected increase in internet availability and usage in the coming years, it is important that healthcare professionals be informed about this behavior and its associated problems. Recently, psychological and psychiatric literature has described individuals that exhibit problematic internet use who often suffer from other psychiatric disorders. In the face of this comorbidity, it is essential to evaluate whether these individuals represent a distinct class of disorder, or a manifestation/coping mechanism related to other underlying diagnosis. In either event, problematic internet use negatively impacts social and emotional functioning. Based on the current limited empirical evidence, problematic internet use may best be classified as an impulse control disorder. It is therefore imperative that problematic internet use be appropriately identified among symptomatic individuals. For these reasons, we propose specific diagnostic criteria that will allow for consistent identification and assist in further study of this behavior. Depression and Anxiety 17:207,216, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Proposed diagnostic criteria for internet addiction

ADDICTION, Issue 3 2010
Ran Tao
ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this study was to develop diagnostic criteria for internet addiction disorder (IAD) and to evaluate the validity of our proposed diagnostic criteria for discriminating non-dependent from dependent internet use in the general population. Methods This study was conducted in three stages: the developmental stage (110 subjects in the survey group; 408 subjects in the training group), where items of the proposed diagnostic criteria were developed and tested; the validation stage (n = 405), where the proposed criteria were evaluated for criterion-related validity; and the clinical stage (n = 150), where the criteria and the global clinical impression of IAD were evaluated by more than one psychiatrist to determine inter-rater reliability. Results The proposed internet addiction diagnostic criteria consisted of symptom criterion (seven clinical symptoms of IAD), clinically significant impairment criterion (functional and psychosocial impairments), course criterion (duration of addiction lasting at least 3 months, with at least 6 hours of non-essential internet usage per day) and exclusion criterion (exclusion of dependency attributed to psychotic disorders). A diagnostic score of 2 + 1, where the first two symptoms (preoccupation and withdrawal symptoms) and at least one of the five other symptoms (tolerance, lack of control, continued excessive use despite knowledge of negative effects/affects, loss of interests excluding internet, and use of the internet to escape or relieve a dysphoric mood) was established. Inter-rater reliability was 98%. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the proposed diagnostic criteria may be useful for the standardization of diagnostic criteria for IAD. [source]