LAUSR

BACKGROUND The digital revolution is creating opportunities and challenges in the field of medicine and the Digital Hospital could be a benefit for patients, if they are able to use the Internet. AIM Identify the barriers that limit Internet use among stroke patients treated in a public hospital in Santiago. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sociodemographic, clinical and functional variables that could influence the use of the Internet were collected in 107 patients with stroke. RESULTS Seventy five percent of patients had access to the Internet, but only 29% knew how to use it before their hospitalization. Seventy five percent were older adults, 74% had a low level of education, 78% had an income below the minimum Chilean salary and 56% were discharged with a severe disability (modified Rankin Scale 4 or 5). There was a significant relationship between Internet use and the level of education, income and age. CONCLUSIONS Income levels, age, schooling and stroke related disability limit Internet use in this population.