Should web-based education be ımplemented for colorectal cancer patients?

• Published in: Turkish journal of colorectal disease Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Altıntaş, Semra Bağrıaçık, Vural, Fatma
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mersin Türk Kolon Ve Rektum Cerrahisi Derneği 01-03-2018; Galenos Publishing House
• Subjects: Colorectal cancer; Internet access; nursing; Patient education; Tıp; web-based education; İstanbul; hemşirelik; nursing; Kolorektal kanser; web-based education; Colorectal cancer; web tabanlı eğitim
• DOI: 10.4274/tjcd.99815
• EISSN: 2536-4901
• ISSN: 2536-4898

Improved access to health-related information through increased access to the internet can be viewed as an important opportunity for both healthcare
professionals and patients. The internet has fundamentally changed the dynamics of the patient/healthcare provider relationship, turning patients
from passive receivers of information to actively researching information consumers, and thus paving the way for technological advances. Individuals
primarily research chronic diseases, especially cancer. Of all the cancers, colorectal cancer is steadily and significantly increasing worldwide. Colorectal
cancer patients are faced with physiological, sociocultural, and psychological problems during the treatment process. This negatively affects the
patients’ health. Educational interventions prepared especially for patients with colorectal cancer may help reduce the symptom burden and improve
care by providing information when and where patients need it. Patient education has a major role in health management. Standard training using
written materials such as brochures and educational booklets are insufficient for patients to acquire positive health behaviors. Web-based education
(WBE) is considered an effective tool for presenting health education because of its many advantages over written materials. This new training model
makes it possible for patients to act together with health professionals during the treatment process. Through WBE, patients who otherwise would
not be able to meet can share their knowledge and experiences with each other, which can reduce repeat hospital admissions. Although there are
web-based patient education applications in different areas in Turkey, there are none specifically designed for colorectal cancer patients. Therefore,
the aim of this review was to raise awareness of the need for a WBE program to prepare individuals with colorectal cancer to manage their illness and
treatment process.