Internet Access and Electronic Communication Among Families in an Urban Pediatric Emergency Department

• DOI: 10.1097/pec.0b013e318258ad76
• Publication Date: 2012-05-30T07:17:48Z
• Authors: Mohsen Saidinejad; Stephen J.; James M. Chamberlain
• Keywords: Electronic communication

Background The Internet may represent an opportunity for health care providers in the emergency department (ED) to deliver discharge instructions and after-care educational materials electronically patients their caregivers. Objectives objectives of this study were determine prevalence access use among caregivers children who visit ED evaluate interest receiving communication material electronically. Methods We distributed a self-administered survey convenience sample English-speaking presented urban, academic, pediatric hospital during November December 2009. Results was completed by 509 respondents. Of participants, 423 (83.1%) identified themselves as black/African American, 397 (77.9%) publicly insured. 503 (98.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 97.9%–99.8%) reported that they have Internet. participants with access, 312 (62.0%; CI, 57.8%–66.3%) at home, 166 (33.0%; 28.9%–33.1%) work, 112 (22.3%; 18.6%–25.9%) mobile phone. When asked about electronic social networking, 483 (96.0%; 94.3%–97.7%) e-mail account, 304 (60.4%; 56.2%–64.7%) Facebook account. Furthermore, 353 (70.1%; 66.2%–74.2%) accessing daily, whereas 128 (25.4%; 21.6%–29.3%) least 2 6 times per week. Among all respondents, from only expressed 259 (50.9%; 46.5%–55.2%). Approximately one third (173/509 [34%; 29.9%–38.1%]) channel between child’s patient primary provider. Conclusions In predominantly minority economically disadvantaged population presenting urban ED, large majority regular willingness ability receive via means.