AYAs' online information and eHealth needs: A comparison with healthcare professionals' perceptions

Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer fulfill their cancer-related information needs often via the Internet. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) have a crucial role in guiding patients in finding appropriate online information and eHealth sources, a role that is often overlooked. Misperceptions of AYAs' needs by HCPs may lead to suboptimal guidance. We aimed to examine the extent to which AYAs' online information and eHealth needs corresponded with HCPs' perceptions of these needs.

Methods: Two cross-sectional online surveys (AYAs, n = 299; HCP, n = 80) on online information and eHealth needs were conducted. HCPs provided indications of their perceptions of AYA's needs.

Results: AYAs reported significantly more online information needs compared with HCPs' perceptions regarding: survival rates (AYA = 69%, HCP = 35%, p < 0.001), treatment guidelines (AYA = 65%, HCP = 41%, p < 0.001), return of cancer (AYA = 76%, HCP = 59%, p = 0.004), "what can I do myself" (AYA = 68%, HCP = 54%, p = 0.029), and metastases (AYA = 64%, HCP = 50%, p = 0.040). Significantly more unmet eHealth needs were reported by AYAs compared with HCPs relating to access to own test results (AYA = 25, HCP = 0%, p < 0.001), request tests (AYA = 30%, HCP = 7%, p < 0.001), medical information (AYA = 22%, HCP = 0%, p = 0.001), e-consult with nurses (AYA = 30%, HCP = 10%, p < 0.001), e-consult with physicians (AYA = 38%, HCP = 13%, p = 0.001), and request prescriptions (AYA = 33%, HCP = 21%, p = 0.009).

Conclusion: AYAs' online information and eHealth needs are partially discrepant with the impression HCPs have, which could result in insufficient guidance related to AYAs' needs. AYAs and HCPs should get guidance regarding where to find optimal information in a language they understand. This may contribute to AYAs' access, understanding, and satisfaction regarding online information and eHealth.