scholarly journals Community health information sources — a survey in three disparate communities

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jared Dart ◽  
Cindy Gallois ◽  
Peter Yellowlees
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Striking Difference ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Local Doctor ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Sources Of Health Information ◽  
Health Information Sources

Objective: To determine the current utilisation, importance, trust and future preference for contemporary sources of health information in three different socioeconomic groups. Design: A pilot study including key informant interviews and direct observation was conducted in a low socioeconomic community. From this work a survey questionnaire was designed and implemented across three different communities. Participants and setting: Semi-structured key informant interviews and focus groups capturing 52 respondents. Paper-based surveys were left in community organisations and local health practices in a low socioeconomic (LSE) community on the outskirts of Ipswich, Queensland, a mid-high socioeconomic (MSE) community in the western suburbs of Brisbane, and at a local university. Main outcome measures: Rank of current and preferred future sources of health information, importance and trustworthiness of health information sources. Results: Across all three communities the local doctor was the most currently used, important, trusted and preferred future source of health information. The most striking difference between the three communities related to the current use and preferred future use of the internet. The internet was a more currently used source of health information and more important source in the university population than the LSE or MSE populations. It was also a less preferred source of future health information in the LSE population than the MSE or university populations. Importantly, currently used sources of health information did not reflect community members? preferred sources of health information. Conclusions: People in different socioeconomic communities obtain health information from various sources. This may reflect access issues, education and awareness of the internet as a source of health information, less health information seeking as well as a reluctance by the e-health community to address the specific needs of this group.

scholarly journals Sources and Reasons for Seeking Health Information by Lithuanian Adults

Medicina ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daiva Marazienė ◽  
Jūratė Klumbienė ◽  
Jūratė Tomkevičiūtė ◽  
Irena Misevičienė
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sources Of Health Information ◽  
Lower Education ◽  
Health Information Sources ◽  
Health Monitor

The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes of Lithuanian adults aged 20–64 years toward the reasons for accessing health information and to determine the main health information sources and their relation to sociodemographic factors. Material and Methods. The data for this study were gathered in 2008 within the framework of the International Project Finbalt Health Monitor evaluating health behavior in a Lithuanian adult population. Results. More than half of respondents searched for health information during the last year. Men were 2.7 times more likely to trust friends and family as a health information source compared with women. For each 1-year increase in age, the odds of using friends and family, and the Internet as the main sources of health information decreased, while the odds of using people with the same condition and different means of media increased. Marital status was associated with greater trust in health professionals and the Internet as health information sources. Higher education was positively associated with more frequent reporting courses and lectures, and the Internet as the sources of health information, while those with lower education preferred television and radio. Conclusions. This study revealed the characteristics of the “risk group” in terms of the sources of health information that people, assigned to it, tend to use, and it is especially important when providing health information.

scholarly journals Marketing To Health Information Seekers: A Critical Look At The Principal Assumptions

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Altan Erdem
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Healthcare Industry ◽  
Medical Issues ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Information Sources ◽  
The Web

As the Internet gained more significance in various dimensions of our lives and dealings with others, it was just a matter of time for the world of healthcare to incorporate the Internet-use into its routines.  We are now seeing tangible examples of this use in many facets of healthcare industry.  Both providers and patients have been pursuing Internet-related strategies, remedies, routines, and etc. for a while now.  It has been stated that majority of the Americans who are online are looking for health information.  Healthcare information is accessed more than sports, stocks, and shopping.  Some believe that this growing use of online health information sources is able to bridge the gap between what patients know and what they are told.  In other words, these patients can visit their physicians armed with knowledge obtained on the Web and pursue rather educated discussions with their physicians about their medical issues.  Of course, this is true based on the assumptions that the websites that these patients use provide accurate information and the patients comprehend this information properly.  The purpose of this paper is to very briefly review some of the ongoing trends in this field and review the practicality of the two assumptions listed above.  It is hoped that inquiries like this result in a better understanding of the components required for a proper use of online options to improve the efficiency of healthcare practices.

Chronic Patients’ eHealth Literacy Skills and Related Factors: The Example of Turkey (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alp Eren Yuce ◽  
Ahmet Albayrak
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Literacy Scores ◽  
Health Information Sources

BACKGROUND Previous studies on the eHealth suggested that chronic patients use the internet to obtain health information and to manage their health conditions. It has been revealed, particularly during the pandemic, that the internet has a significant potential to become a crucial health information source for chronic patients. However, there are both fluctuant and constant factors that influence the various eHealth literacy skills of chronic patients. It is critical to discover the current parameters influencing eHealth literacy skills in countries such as Turkey, which is in the process of adapting technology use, while eHealth literacy is gaining attention globally. OBJECTIVE This study aims to reveal the eHealth literacy skills of chronic patients and to investigate the relations and patterns between eHealth literacy skills and various factors such as demographics, search strategies and health information sources, and to explain their effects on eHealth literacy in Turkey in Izmir. METHODS The study, based on a quantitative research, including the administration of a questionnaire. A total of 604 chronic patients who applied to the five popular identified hospitals in Izmir, Turkey, responded to the questionnaire. The questionnaire, which includes information on demographics, social media platforms, internet usage frequency, eHealth literacy scale, search strategies scale, and health information sources scale, was conducted with the participants. CHAID analysis method was implemented to analyze the results and determine the relations between dependent and independent variables. RESULTS The type of the social media platform used by participants was an influencing factor on eHealth literacy scores. Finding health information across multiple platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, was found to be a positive predictor of eHealth literacy. (25.3%, 153 patients). Additionally, a positive correlation has been found between the use of the internet as a source of health information and eHealth literacy scores while using the strategy of “following the links that appear on websites” is positively correlated with eHealth literacy scores. CONCLUSIONS The study's findings indicate that using the internet and various social media platforms to obtain health information has a positive effect on eHealth literacy skills. Patients with greater interaction with the internet and its substructures, as well as a greater interest in utilizing the technological features of digital environments, were found to be more qualified eHealth literates. However, given the pollution of health information on the Internet, the information channel through which health information is obtained is also a critical issue in terms of health literacy. Online health knowledge should be scientifically promoted by medical institutions or governmental organizations in order to be widely and effectively disseminated, particularly in countries such as Turkey.

Sources of information and knowledge about health and nutrition: can viewing one television programme make a difference?

1995 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Chew ◽  
Sushma Palmer ◽  
Soohong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Television Programme ◽  
Sources Of Health Information ◽  
Health Information Sources ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Sources ◽  
Selection Of

This three-stage national longitudinal survey of 300 respondents evaluated the impact on levels of nutrition knowledge of a specially designed television programme. These levels were assessed among subgroups using different sources of health information. The study was fielded before programme viewing, within three days of programme viewing and about six months after programme viewing. Up to five sources per respondent were obtained. Health information sources analysed included magazines, television, newspapers and doctor/clinic/hospital. Results showed that knowledge levels consistently increased among all groups after programme viewing and also across time ( p<0.001). In general, media users showed higher levels of knowledge than their non-user counterparts; however, only magazine users showed higher and significant differences in knowledge. Programme viewing led to an increased selection of television and newspapers as sources of health information. Magazine use and the use of doctors as health information sources remained the same after programme viewing.

Neither the Internist Nor the Internet: Use of and Trust in Health Information Sources by People with Schizophrenia

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 489-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Maguire ◽  
Rebecca E. Reay ◽  
Jeffrey C.L. Looi ◽  
Jeff Cubis ◽  
Gerard J. Byrne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Information Sources

Community desires for an online health information strategy

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jared M. Dart ◽  
Cindy Gallois
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Clinical Pathways ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Information Strategy ◽  
Low Socioeconomic

Objective. To determine whether the community’s attitudes to components of a community eHealth strategy differ across three different socioeconomic groups. Design. A survey questionnaire was designed and implemented across three different communities. Participants and setting. Paper-based surveys were left in community organisations and local health practices in a low socioeconomic community on the outskirts of Ipswich, Queensland (n = 262), a mid-high socioeconomic community in the western suburbs of Brisbane (n = 256) and at a local university (n = 200). Main outcome measures. Ascribed importance and comfort with proposed components of a community eHealth strategy. Results. A community-oriented health website was perceived as useful in getting access to relevant health information. Those who were most comfortable with accessing online health information were those who were: experienced, had home internet access and were frequent internet users. The most important types of health information for the website were: information about the treatment of conditions, how to manage a chronic illness, how to stay healthy and patient clinical pathways. The low socioeconomic community had different information priorities – all categories were considered more important, particularly information about how the public system operates, local health support groups, and the roles of health professionals. Conclusions. Different communities have different information demands but there is a strong demand for information which empowers community members to take control of their own health and become active participants in their health care. Tools such as a community health portal and patient clinical pathways should become more available. What is known about the topic? There is existing literature discussing the impact of the internet and other eHealth strategies, in terms of the perceptions and preferences of different parts of the community. Many previous researchers have pointed to deficiencies in health literacy as a function of socioeconomic status and their negative consequences for health outcomes and participation in health care. The internet has been recommended as a useful way to increase health literacy, if users’ knowledge and skills and preferences are adequately assessed and catered for. What does this paper add? This paper adds detail to what is known about the preferences of various parts of the community in terms of eHealth and online health information. It adds Australian data to our understanding of the role of the internet, and of community-based approaches to eHealth. Our results underscore the importance of understanding differences as a function of socioeconomic status, as well as knowledge of basic internet skills, health literacy, and online experience in determining patients’ preferences for and use of these means of accessing health information. What are the implications for practitioners? In the context of the growing burden of chronic disease and the importance of lifestyle factors and risk factor modification, this research suggests that a concerted online health information approach is valuable and timely. In particular, the paper provides data as to different communities’ opinions of potential components of an online health information strategy.

scholarly journals Cancer patients’ information seeking behavior related to online electronic healthcare records

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 146045822110247
Author(s):  
Hanife Rexhepi ◽  
Isto Huvila ◽  
Rose-Mharie Åhlfeldt ◽  
Åsa Cajander
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Information Horizons ◽  
Health Information Sources

Patients’ online access to their EHR together with the rapid proliferation of medical information on the Internet has changed how patients use information to learn about their health. Patients’ tendency to turn to the Internet to find information about their health and care is well-documented. However, little is known about patients’ information seeking behavior when using online EHRs. By using information horizons as an analytical tool this paper aims to investigate the information behavior of cancer patients who have chosen to view their EHRs (readers) and to those who have not made that option (non-readers). Thirty interviews were conducted with patients. Based on information horizons, it seems that non-reading is associated with living in a narrower information world in comparison to readers. The findings do not suggest that the smallness would be a result of active avoidance of information, or that it would be counterproductive for the patients. The findings suggest, however, that EHRs would benefit from comprehensive linking to authoritative health information sources to help users to understand their contents. In parallel, healthcare professionals should be more aware of their personal role as a key source of health information to those who choose not to read their EHRs.

scholarly journals Health Information Provided by Retail Health Food Outlets

2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 767-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaclyn Calder ◽  
Robert Issenman ◽  
Ruth Cawdron
Keyword(s):  
Information Sources ◽  
Nutritional Supplements ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Research Assistant ◽  
Health Food ◽  
Herbal Supplements ◽  
Alternative Health ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Source Of Information

Alternative health practices have become increasingly popular in recent years. Many patients visit specific complementary practitioners, while others attempt to educate themselves, trusting advice from employees at local health food stores or the Internet. Thirty-two retail health food stores were surveyed on the nature of the information provided by their staff. A research assistant visited the stores and presented as the mother of a child in whom Crohn’s disease had been diagnosed. Seventy-two per cent (23 of 32) of store employees offered advice, such as to take nutritional and herbal supplements. Of the 23 stores where recommendations were made, 15 (65%) based their recommendation on a source of information. Fourteen of the 15 stores using information sources used the same reference book. This had a significant impact on the recommendations; the use of nutritional supplements was favoured. In conclusion, retail health food stores are not as inconsistent as hypothesized, although there are many variances in the types of supplements recommended for the same chronic disease.

Health information needs, sources, and barriers of primary care patients to achieve patient-centered care: A literature review

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 992-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina A Clarke ◽  
Joi L Moore ◽  
Linsey M Steege ◽  
Richelle J Koopman ◽  
Jeffery L Belden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Search ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Information Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Common Information ◽  
Primary Care Patients

To synthesize findings from previous studies assessing information needs of primary care patients on the Internet and other information sources in a primary care setting. A systematic review of studies was conducted with a comprehensive search in multiple databases including OVID MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus. The most common information needs among patients were information about an illness or medical condition and treatment methods, while the most common information sources were the Internet and patients’ physicians. Overall, patients tend to prefer the Internet for the ease of access to information, while they trust their physicians more for their clinical expertise and experience. Barriers to information access via the Internet include the following: socio-demographic variables such as age, ethnicity, income, education, and occupation; information search skills; and reliability of health information. Conclusion: Further research is warranted to assess how to create accurate and reliable health information sources for both Internet and non-Internet users.

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