Inter.com: how do cancer patients use the internet for health information?

With this project we aim to gain insight into the consequences of cancer patient’s (and their close relatives) online health seeking behavior. In specific, their search for online cancer information. We will study which patients use online health information (their personal, medical and psychological characteristics), how they search for information, when, with which purpose and what the effects are on their wellbeing and information processing. Furthermore, we will study the extent to which patients discuss online health information with their clinician, on which factors this depends, and which consequences this has on the doctor-patient relationship and patients’ wellbeing. Lastly, we will study whether the manner of discussion of online health information during consultations has an effect on information processing, the doctor-patient relationship, and wellbeing (e.g. anxiety and hope).

Research team:

  • Promovenda: Pascale Kwakman
  • Co-promotors: Dr. Marij Hillen and Dr. Annemiek Linn
  • Promotors: Prof. dr. Julia van Weert and Prof. dr. Ellen Smets

Status: Ongoing since 1 September 2020
Funding: KWF Kankerbestrijding
Link: kanker.nl (collaborator for one of the four studies in this PhD)