Protocol - Access to Health Technology
Description
The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) collects data about use of cancer-related online information. The HINTS is a nationally representative survey that has been administered every few years by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 2003. The HINTS target population is adults aged 18 or older in the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population. The survey is administered over the course of 4 years, which completed in 2018. The survey may be administered via self-report questionnaire.
Specific Instructions
The Working Group recommends that the interviewer ascertain what language is spoken in the home.
Availability
Protocol
1. Has your tablet or smartphone… | Yes | No |
a. helped you track progress on a health-related goal, such as quitting smoking, losing weight, or increasing physical activity? | ||
b. helped you make a decision about how to treat an illness or condition? | ||
c. helped you in discussions with your health care provider? |
2. Other than a tablet or smartphone, have you used an electronic device to monitor or track your health within the last 12 months? Examples include Fitbit, blood glucose meters, and blood pressure monitors.
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
3. Have you shared health information from either an electronic monitoring device or smartphone with a health professional within the last 12 months?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Not Applicable
4. Sometimes people use the Internet to connect with other people online through social networks like Facebook or Twitter. This is often called “social media”. In the past 12 months, have you used the Internet for any of the following reasons? | Yes | No |
a. To visit a social networking site, such as Facebook or LinkedIn | ||
b. To share health information on social networking sites, such as Facebook or Twitter | ||
c. To write in an online diary or blog (i.e., Web log) | ||
d. To participate in an online forum or support group for people with a similar health or medical issue | ||
e. To watch a health-related video on YouTube |
5. Have you sent a text message to or received a text message from a doctor or other health care professional within the last 12 months?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Don’t know
Next, we are going to ask you some questions about your medical records. Medical records are defined as medical history, such as laboratory test results, clinical notes, and current list of medications.
6. Do any of your doctors or other health care providers maintain your medical records in a computerized system?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Don’t know
7. How confident are you that safeguards (including the use of technology) are in place to protect your medical records from being seen by people who aren’t permitted to see them?
[ ] Very confident
[ ] Somewhat confident
[ ] Not confident
8. Have you ever kept information from your health care provider because you were concerned about the privacy or security of your medical record?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
9. Have you ever been offered online access to your medical records by your health care provider or health insurer?
[ ] Yes -> GO TO 10.
[ ] No
[ ] Don’t know
10. Who offered you online access to your medical records?
Mark all that apply.
[ ] Health care provider
[ ] Health insurer
[ ] Something else – Specify __________________
11. How many times did you access your online medical record in the last 12 months?
[ ] 0 -> GO TO 12.
[ ] 1 to 2 times -> GO TO 13.
[ ] 3 to 5 times -> GO TO 13.
[ ] 6 to 9 times -> GO TO 13.
[ ] 10 or more times -> GO TO 13.
12. Why have you not accessed your medical record online? Is it because… | Yes | No |
a. You prefer to speak to your health care provider directly? | ||
b. You do not have a way to access the website? | ||
c. You did not have a need to use your online medical record? | ||
d. You were concerned about the privacy or security of the website that had your medical records? | ||
e. You don’t have an online medical record? | ||
f. Other (Specify) ______________________________ |
13. In the past 12 months, have you used your online medical record to... | Yes | No |
a. Request refill of medications? | ||
b. Fill out forms or paperwork related to your health care? | ||
c. Request correction of inaccurate information? | ||
d. Securely message health care provider and staff (for example, e-mail)? | ||
e. Download your health information to your computer or mobile device, such as a cell phone or tablet? | ||
f. Add health information to share with your health care provider, such as health concerns, symptoms, and side effects? | ||
g. Help you make a decision about how to treat an illness or condition? |
14. Do any of your online medical records include the following types of medical information? | Yes | No | Don’t know |
a. List of health/medical problems | |||
b. Allergy list | |||
c. Summaries of your office visit | |||
d. Clinical notes | |||
e. Immunization or vaccination history |
15. Have you electronically sent your medical information to…? | Yes | No |
a. Another health care provider? | ||
b. A family member or another person involved with your care? | ||
c. A service or app that can help manage and store your health information? |
16. In general, how useful is your online medical record for monitoring your health?
[ ] Very useful
[ ] Somewhat useful
[ ] Not very useful
[ ] Not at all useful
[ ] I do not use my online medical record to monitor my health
Scoring and Interpretation
Refer to the “HINTS5 Cycle 2 Methodology Report” for details on methodology, sampling, and procedures for Cycle 2, sections 4 and 5: https://hints.cancer.gov/data/methodology-reports.aspx
Personnel and Training Required
None
Equipment Needs
None
Requirements
Requirement Category | Required |
---|---|
Major equipment | No |
Specialized training | No |
Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection | No |
Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual | No |
Mode of Administration
Self-administered questionnaire
Lifestage
Adult
Participants
Adults aged 18 or older
Selection Rationale
The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) is a nationally representative survey that has been administered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 2003. It is administered via single-mode mail survey and is comprehensive in its coverage of topics regarding knowledge of, attitudes toward, and use of cancer- and health-related information by the American public. The data are publicly available.
Language
English, Spanish
Standards
Standard | Name | ID | Source |
---|
Derived Variables
None
Process and Review
Not applicable
Protocol Name from Source
Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), Annotated Form, Full-Content, Cycle 2, 2018
Source
National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). Health Information National Trends Survey Annotated Form, Cycle 2, Full-content, English version.
General References
Emanuel, A. S., Kiviniemi, M. T., Howell, J. L., Hay, J. L., Waters, E. A., Orom, H., & Shepperd, J. A. (2015). Avoiding cancer risk information. Social Science & Medicine, 147, 113–120.
Hay, J. L., Orom, H., Kiviniemi, M. T., & Waters, E. A. (2015). "I don't know" my cancer risk: Exploring deficits in cancer knowledge and information-seeking skills to explain an often-overlooked participant response. Medical Decision Making, 35(4), 436–445.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2007). On-line communication with health care providers: eHealth behaviors and trends. HINTS Brief No. 8.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2013). Health information technology and meaningful use. HINTS Brief No. 23.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2014). Developing an electronic information system for high-quality cancer care. HINTS Brief No. 27.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). HINTS 5 Cycle 2 public codebook.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). HINTS factsheet.
Tennant, B., Stellefson, M., Dodd, V., Chaney, B., Chaney, D., Paige, S., & Alber, J. (2015). eHealth literacy and web 2.0 health information seeking behaviors among baby boomers and older adults. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 17(3), e70.
Protocol ID
280401
Variables
Export VariablesVariable Name | Variable ID | Variable Description | dbGaP Mapping | |
---|---|---|---|---|
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Electronic_Device_Past_Year_Health_Monitoring | ||||
PX280401020000 | Other than a tablet or smartphone, have you more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Electronic_Device_Share_Information_Past_Year | ||||
PX280401030000 | Have you shared health information from more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Health_Information_Privacy | ||||
PX280401080000 | Have you ever kept information from your more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Internet_Past_Year_Blog | ||||
PX280401040300 | Sometimes people use the Internet to connect more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Internet_Past_Year_Forum | ||||
PX280401040400 | Sometimes people use the Internet to connect more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Internet_Past_Year_Share_Health_Information | ||||
PX280401040200 | Sometimes people use the Internet to connect more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Internet_Past_Year_Social_Media | ||||
PX280401040100 | Sometimes people use the Internet to connect more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Internet_Past_Year_Youtube | ||||
PX280401040500 | Sometimes people use the Internet to connect more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Accessed_Past_Year | ||||
PX280401110000 | How many times did you access your online more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Computer | ||||
PX280401060000 | Do any of your doctors or other health care more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access | ||||
PX280401090000 | Have you ever been offered online access to more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Details | ||||
PX280401100100 | Who offered you online access to your more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Details_Specify | ||||
PX280401100200 | Who offered you online access to your more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Direct_Communication | ||||
PX280401120100 | Why have you not accessed your medical more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Lack_Means | ||||
PX280401120200 | Why have you not accessed your medical more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Necessity | ||||
PX280401120300 | Why have you not accessed your medical more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Nonexistent | ||||
PX280401120500 | Why have you not accessed your medical more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Other | ||||
PX280401120601 | Why have you not accessed your medical more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Other_Specify | ||||
PX280401120602 | Why have you not accessed your medical more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Privacy_Concerns | ||||
PX280401120400 | Why have you not accessed your medical more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Allergy | ||||
PX280401140200 | Do any of your online medical records more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Clinical_Notes | ||||
PX280401140400 | Do any of your online medical records more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Different_Provider | ||||
PX280401150100 | Have you electronically sent your medical more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Family_Person | ||||
PX280401150200 | Have you electronically sent your medical more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_History | ||||
PX280401140100 | Do any of your online medical records more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Immunization | ||||
PX280401140500 | Do any of your online medical records more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Office_Visit | ||||
PX280401140300 | Do any of your online medical records more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Add_Information | ||||
PX280401130600 | In the past 12 months, have you used your more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Decision_Making | ||||
PX280401130700 | In the past 12 months, have you used your more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Download | ||||
PX280401130500 | In the past 12 months, have you used your more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Inaccuracy | ||||
PX280401130300 | In the past 12 months, have you used your more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Medication | ||||
PX280401130100 | In the past 12 months, have you used your more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Paperwork | ||||
PX280401130200 | In the past 12 months, have you used your more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Secure_Messaging | ||||
PX280401130400 | In the past 12 months, have you used your more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Service_App | ||||
PX280401150300 | Have you electronically sent your medical more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Useful | ||||
PX280401160000 | In general, how useful is your online more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Safeguards | ||||
PX280401070000 | How confident are you that safeguards more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Mobile_Device_Assist_Healthcare_Provider | ||||
PX280401010300 | Has your tablet or smartphone... helped you more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Mobile_Device_Track_Health_Goal | ||||
PX280401010100 | Has your tablet or smartphone... helped you more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Mobile_Device_Treatment_Illness | ||||
PX280401010200 | Has your tablet or smartphone... helped you more | N/A | ||
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Text_Message_Doctor_Past_Year | ||||
PX280401050000 | Have you sent a text message to or received more | N/A |
Measure Name
Use of Technology for Health
Release Date
May 11, 2020
Definition
Use of Technology for Health is a measure of access to health technology, including the use of smartphones and computers for accessing the Internet and electronic medical records, based on data from a nationally representative survey.
Purpose
This measure can be used to assess use of the Internet for finding and sharing health information, including social networking, and use of electronic medical records for monitoring health.
Keywords
National Cancer Institute, NCI, Health Information National Trends Survey, HINTS, Social Determinants of Health, Access to Health Care
Measure Protocols
Protocol ID | Protocol Name |
---|---|
280401 | Access to Health Technology |
Publications
Burnett-Bowie, S. A. M., et al. (2024) The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Task Force on clinical algorithms for fracture risk report. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2024 May; 39(5): 517-530. doi: 10.1093/jbmr/zjae048
Bartholomew, T. S., et al. (2024) Project CHARIOT: study protocol for a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation study of comprehensive tele-harm reduction for engagement of people who inject drugs in HIV prevention services Addiction Science & Clinical Practice. 2024 March; 19(1). doi: 10.1186/s13722-024-00447-9
Chan, N. W., et al. (2022) Social determinants of health data in solid organ transplantation: National data sources and future directions. Am J Transplant. 2022 October; 22(10): 2293-2301. doi: 10.1111/ajt.17096
Windsor, L., et al. (2022) Optimization of a new adaptive intervention using the SMART Design to increase COVID-19 testing among people a high risk in an urban community. Trials. 2022 April; 23(1): 16. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06216-w