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Protocol - Access to Health Technology

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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

Available

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 CategoryRequired
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
StandardNameIDSource
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 Variables
Variable Name Variable IDVariable DescriptiondbGaP Mapping
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Electronic_Device_Past_Year_Health_Monitoring
PX280401020000 Other than a tablet or smartphone, have you more
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. show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Electronic_Device_Share_Information_Past_Year
PX280401030000 Have you shared health information from more
either an electronic monitoring device or smartphone with a health professional within the last 12 months? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Health_Information_Privacy
PX280401080000 Have you ever kept information from your more
health care provider because you were concerned about the privacy or security of your medical record? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Internet_Past_Year_Blog
PX280401040300 Sometimes people use the Internet to connect more
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? To write in show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Internet_Past_Year_Forum
PX280401040400 Sometimes people use the Internet to connect more
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? To particip show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Internet_Past_Year_Share_Health_Information
PX280401040200 Sometimes people use the Internet to connect more
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? To share he show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Internet_Past_Year_Social_Media
PX280401040100 Sometimes people use the Internet to connect more
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? To visit a show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Internet_Past_Year_Youtube
PX280401040500 Sometimes people use the Internet to connect more
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? To watch a show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Accessed_Past_Year
PX280401110000 How many times did you access your online more
medical record in the last 12 months? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Computer
PX280401060000 Do any of your doctors or other health care more
providers maintain your medical records in a computerized system? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access
PX280401090000 Have you ever been offered online access to more
your medical records by your health care provider or health insurer? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Details
PX280401100100 Who offered you online access to your more
medical records? Mark all that apply. show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Details_Specify
PX280401100200 Who offered you online access to your more
medical records? Mark all that apply. Specify: show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Direct_Communication
PX280401120100 Why have you not accessed your medical more
record online? Is it because... You prefer to speak to your health care provider directly? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Lack_Means
PX280401120200 Why have you not accessed your medical more
record online? Is it because... You do not have a way to access the website? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Necessity
PX280401120300 Why have you not accessed your medical more
record online? Is it because... You did not have a need to use your online medical record? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Nonexistent
PX280401120500 Why have you not accessed your medical more
record online? Is it because... You don't have an online medical record? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Other
PX280401120601 Why have you not accessed your medical more
record online? Is it because... Other show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Other_Specify
PX280401120602 Why have you not accessed your medical more
record online? Is it because... Other, specify: show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Access_Privacy_Concerns
PX280401120400 Why have you not accessed your medical more
record online? Is it because... You were concerned about the privacy or security of the website that had your medical records? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Allergy
PX280401140200 Do any of your online medical records more
include the following types of medical information? Allergy list show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Clinical_Notes
PX280401140400 Do any of your online medical records more
include the following types of medical information? Clinical notes show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Different_Provider
PX280401150100 Have you electronically sent your medical more
information to... Another health care provider? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Family_Person
PX280401150200 Have you electronically sent your medical more
information to... A family member or another person involved with your care? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_History
PX280401140100 Do any of your online medical records more
include the following types of medical information? List of health/medical problems show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Immunization
PX280401140500 Do any of your online medical records more
include the following types of medical information? Immunization or vaccination history show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Office_Visit
PX280401140300 Do any of your online medical records more
include the following types of medical information? Summaries of your office visit show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Add_Information
PX280401130600 In the past 12 months, have you used your more
online medical record to... Add health information to share with your health care provider, such as health concerns, symptoms, and side effects? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Decision_Making
PX280401130700 In the past 12 months, have you used your more
online medical record to... Help you make a decision about how to treat an illness or condition? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Download
PX280401130500 In the past 12 months, have you used your more
online medical record to... Download your health information to your computer or mobile device, such as a cell phone or tablet? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Inaccuracy
PX280401130300 In the past 12 months, have you used your more
online medical record to... Request correction of inaccurate information? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Medication
PX280401130100 In the past 12 months, have you used your more
online medical record to... Request refill of medications? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Paperwork
PX280401130200 In the past 12 months, have you used your more
online medical record to... Fill out forms or paperwork related to your health care? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Past_Year_Secure_Messaging
PX280401130400 In the past 12 months, have you used your more
online medical record to... Securely message health care provider and staff (for example, e-mail)? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Service_App
PX280401150300 Have you electronically sent your medical more
information to... A service or app that can help manage and store your health information? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Online_Useful
PX280401160000 In general, how useful is your online more
medical record for monitoring your health? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Medical_Records_Safeguards
PX280401070000 How confident are you that safeguards more
(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? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Mobile_Device_Assist_Healthcare_Provider
PX280401010300 Has your tablet or smartphone... helped you more
in discussions with your health care provider? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Mobile_Device_Track_Health_Goal
PX280401010100 Has your tablet or smartphone... helped you more
track progress on a health-related goal, such as quitting smoking, losing weight, or increasing physical activity? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Mobile_Device_Treatment_Illness
PX280401010200 Has your tablet or smartphone... helped you more
make a decision about how to treat an illness or condition? show less
N/A
PX280401_Access_Health_Technology_Text_Message_Doctor_Past_Year
PX280401050000 Have you sent a text message to or received more
a text message from a doctor or other health care professional within the last 12 months? show less
N/A
Individual Social Determinants of Health
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