Issues in Internet survey research among cancer patients

Considering the increasing number of cancer patients who are online, it is clear that the Internet will provide an important research medium and/or setting for oncology nurses in the near future. Despite increasing Internet usage in nursing research and practice, issues in using the Internet among cancer patients as a research tool have rarely been explored and discussed. The purpose of the article is to propose future directions for Internet research among cancer patients based on discussions of practical issues raised in an Internet survey study among 40 online cancer patients. The issues raised through the research process include (a) ethical issues, (b) recruitment issues, (c) issues in Web site development and maintenance, and (d) data entry and analysis issues. On the basis of the discussions of these issues, some future directions for Internet survey studies are proposed, including dealing with ethical issues, getting computer expertise, using motivational strategies, and using national and international approaches.