Evaluation of Web-based Ostomy Patient Support Resources

Short hospital stays and fragmented follow-up care make it difficult for people with new ostomies to obtain information, self-management training and support. Web-based patient ostomy support resources may provide this essential information. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reach, acceptability, usability and satisfaction with web-based patient support resources available for patients with an ostomy.

This crossectional, descriptive study enrolled 202 people who had ostomy surgery within the past 24 months. Data were collected by trained telephone interviewers regarding demographics, ostomy information, use of the internet, acceptability, usability and satisfaction with preferred ostomy websites.

Of the 202 participants, almost 88% reported leakage and 69% reported peristomal dermatitis. Less than half (45%) of participants reported using the internet as a source of ostomy information. Among those who did, 30% identified a preferred website. YouTube was the most commonly used website (15%) with Hollister, UOAA, and Coloplast websites tied for second place (11%). Twenty three (85%) participants stated information on their preferred website helped them better understand their ostomy, 89% thought the website used language they could understand, and 70% reported the information was visually appealing. Almost all (93%) indicated the website kept their interest and attention, and 96% stated they would recommend the website to others.

Among all 202 participants, other helpful sources of information and support included ostomy nurses (84%); brochures/pamphlets (74%); surgeons (70%), other health care providers (36%), family (33%), primary care providers (31%), books (27%) and friends (22%). Many indicated that their ostomy supply company had been a helpful source of information and support as they had received written materials, CDs, DVDs, and other types of valuable assistance from them. Future research is needed to develop and test best web-based patient support methods to provide essential ostomy information, self-management training and support resources.