Investigating and utilising patient information needs to focus internet searching for cancer patients

Effective educational patient information systems need to utilise the patient’s individual information needs. This study investigates and implements a patient Internet search facility in order to focus the search information topic and level of quality of information to a patient’s needs. In this study, a patient’s medical data is employed to focus the search information topic, whereas a wide range of search tools representing various quality initiatives are incorporated to offer a variant level of quality for patients to utilise. These search requirements are investigated using information from patient medical records, interviews with patient information specialists and nurses, conferences, and relevant literature. The search interface demonstrates a simplified and flexible Internet search facility, yielding results focused to a patient’s individual condition and preferences