Health information needs of inpatients with chronic diseases and utilization of community health resources in the comprehensive hospitals in Shanghai

Abstract

ObjectiveTo understand the health information needs of chronic disease inpatients and the current utilization of community health resources， and to analyze the influencing factors， so as to provide basis for personalized and high-quality health education for chronic disease inpatients and to guide them to make full use of community health resources.MethodsFrom November 2020 to February 2021， we conducted a face-to-face multi-center clinical epidemiological survey with paper questionnaire in three general hospitals of Shanghai. The study included 404 inpatients with diabetes， hypertension， coronary heart disease， chronic respiratory diseases， cancer and other chronic diseases.Results94.01% of the 404 respondents had different needs for disease or health related information， and there was no significant difference between patients of different ages， genders and educational backgrounds in their needs for health knowledge. Among these patients， only 39.11% of them participated in the establishment of a card for chronic disease management in the community or signed for a family doctor. The participation rate of male patients was lower than that of female patients （P<0.05）.ConclusionPatients with chronic diseases have a high demand for health related information， and we need to provide health information in multiple ways. We should increase investment in community health resources， improve service quality， and guide residents with chronic diseases to make full use of community health resources.

Keywords

• chronic disease
• health needs
• health information
• community resource
• utilization