The role of Internet-based cancer survivorship care plans in care of the elderly

ObjectiveInternet-based tools for communication about cancer survivorship may serve an unmet need; however, older age has been associated with decreased Internet use, and the role of Internet-based communication with the elderly remains unclear.Materials and MethodsWe created a publically available, Internet-based tool for creation of survivorship care plans, available at www.livestrongcareplan.org, and via OncoLink, a cancer information Web site based at the University of Pennsylvania. It allows users to enter information regarding demographics, diagnosis, and treatment and produces customized care plans.ResultsBetween May 2007 and February 2010, 10,128 care plans were created; 828 (8%) for persons ≥70 years (range 70–101, median 74). Diagnosis age for elderly users ranged from 32 to 100 years (median 72). When compared to the younger users, elderly users were less likely to be Caucasian/college-educated (p < 0.001), and plans were more likely to be created by health care providers than survivors (38% vs. 26%, respectively, p < 0.001). Elderly users were equally likely to have received previous survivorship information (14%) and more likely to have primary care physicians (PCP) involved in their care (54% vs. 49%, p = 0.001). A small proportion surveyed reported high levels of satisfaction with this tool.ConclusionsUse of this Internet tool by elderly survivors is less frequent than by younger ones; however, a subset appears willing to use it and satisfied with the information provided. Elderly users are more likely to be followed by a PCP than younger ones, and care plans for the elderly are more frequently created by health care providers.