Our analysis
suggests that individuals who use the internet in relation to their health may be affected across the five key generic themes: (1) information, (2) feeling supported, (3) relationships with others, (4) experiencing health services, and (5) affecting behavior. These themes are applicable across a range of conditions and are therefore suitable for inclusion in the development of a generic item pool. Items relating to the identified themes have been incorporated into the item pool for the e-Health Impact Questionnaire using words taken from the study population. Items have been tested for acceptability among patients and carers and selleck compound further tests are being carried out to refine items and establish two independent questionnaires with acceptable psychometric properties. Upon establishing a psychometrically sound instrument it will be possible to compare how particular forms of information (for example factual information
compared to experiential information) can affect the internet user. This study assists in understanding the effects of using the internet as a source of information and support. This paper documents the first stage of the development selleck screening library of an instrument which will enable standardized comparisons of the effects of using specific websites. Following further psychometric evaluation, the instrument will 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase be suitable for use
in clinical trials, observation studies and website evaluation. Research conducted with the proposed instrument will inform recommendations for web developers and health service providers on the best way to present online health information from the users’ perspective. None declared. The iPEx programme presents independent research funded by the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in England under its Programme Grants for Applied Research funding scheme (RP-PG-0608-10147). The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors, representing iPEx, and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. The funders had no input into the study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. We thank all the participants who took part in the narrative and cognitive interviews. We thank the HERG team, particularly those who carried out the narrative interviews, Angela Martin and the expert reviewers who kindly provided feedback on the draft item pool. We confirm that all patient/personal identifiers have been removed or disguised so the patient/person(s) described are not identifiable and cannot be identified through the details of the story.