Patients With Cancer Searching for Cancer- or Health-Specific Web-Based Information: Performance Test Analysis

Background: Searching the internet for cancer-related information helps patients with cancer satisfy their unmet information needs and empowers them to play a more active role in the management of their disease. However, to benefit from the search, patients need a sufficient level of skill to search, select, appraise, and apply web-based health information.

Objective: We aim to study the operational, navigational, information, and evaluation skills and problems of patients with cancer performing cancer-related search tasks using the internet.

Methods: A total of 21 patients with cancer were recruited during their stay at the rehabilitation clinic for oncological rehabilitation. Participants performed eight cancer-related search tasks using the internet. The participants were asked to think aloud while performing the tasks, and the screen activities were recorded. The types and frequencies of performance problems were identified and coded into categories following an inductive coding process. In addition, the performance and strategic characteristics of task execution were summarized descriptively.

Results: All participants experienced problems or difficulties in executing the tasks, and a substantial percentage of tasks (57/142, 40.1%) could not be completed successfully. The participants' performance problems were coded into four categories, namely operating the computer and web browser, navigating and orientating, using search strategies, and evaluating the relevance and reliability of web-based information. The most frequent problems occurred in the third and fourth categories. A total of 90% (19/21) of participants used nontask-related search terms or nonspecific search terms. A total of 95% (20/21) of participants did not control for the source or topicality of the information found. In addition, none of the participants verified the information on 1 website with that on another website for each task.

Conclusions: A substantial group of patients with cancer did not have the necessary skills to benefit from cancer-related internet searches. Future interventions are needed to support patients in the development of sufficient internet-searching skills, focusing particularly on information and evaluation skills.