Abstract
The Internet is increasingly a resource for cancer information and support. Those with pancreatic cancer may have particular needs, given the disease's short trajectory and high mortality. The purpose of this study was to identify the palliative issues of those accessing a Web page where they could interact with a palliative care nurse practitioner and to determine the type of responses the palliative care nurse practitioner provided. A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Content from questions and e-mails to the palliative care nurse practitioner was analyzed, and primary and secondary issues identified. When possible, each issue was clustered within 1 of the 8 palliative care domains. Palliative care nurse practitioner responses were also analyzed and categorized. Forty-eight participants posted 55 questions to the palliative care nurse practitioner. The majority of primary issues (57%) fell into one of the palliative care domains. Forty-two percent asked about physical aspects of pancreatic cancer, with the next largest domain, 11%, being psychological concerns about the illness. Participants were concerned about symptoms, were uncertain about prognosis, and lacked education on what to expect. A few seemed unaware their loved ones were in the last stage of pancreatic cancer. Access to information, support, and palliative care is important for people dealing with pancreatic cancer. The Internet provides an opportunity to address some of their issues.