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Bachl M, Link E, Mangold F, Stier S. Search Engine Use for Health-Related Purposes: Behavioral Data on Online Health Information-Seeking in Germany. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024; 39:1651-1664. [PMID: 38326714 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2024.2309810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Internet searches for health-related purposes are common, with search engines like Google being the most popular starting point. However, results on the popularity of health information-seeking behaviors are based on self-report data, often criticized for suffering from incomplete recall, overreporting, and low reliability. Therefore, the current study builds on user-centric tracking of Internet use to reveal how individuals actually behave online. We conducted a secondary analysis of passively recorded Internet use logs to examine the prevalence of health-related search engine use, the types of health information searched for, and the sources visited after the searches. The analysis revealed two key findings. 1) We largely support earlier survey-based findings on the prevalence of online health information seeking with search engines and the relatively minor differences in information-seeking behaviors between socio-demographic groups. 2) We provide a more granular picture of the process of HISB using search engines by identifying different selection patterns depending on the scope of the searches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Bachl
- Institute for Media and Communication Studies, Department of Political and Social Sciences, Freie Universität Berlin
| | - Elena Link
- Department of Communication, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
| | - Frank Mangold
- Department Computational Social Science, GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences
| | - Sebastian Stier
- Department Computational Social Science, GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences
- School of Social Sciences, University of Mannheim
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Okamura M, Fujimori M, Otsuki A, Saito J, Yaguchi-Saito A, Kuchiba A, Uchitomi Y, Shimazu T. Patients' perceptions of patient-centered communication with healthcare providers and associated factors in Japan - The INFORM Study 2020. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2024; 122:108170. [PMID: 38308974 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe patients' perceptions of the patient-centeredness of their communication with healthcare providers in Japan, and to examine factors associated with these perceptions. METHODS We analyzed the cross-sectional data from the INFORM Study 2020, which is a nationwide survey on health information access in Japan. A total of 3605 respondents completed the survey. Our primary outcome was the nine elements of the patient-centered communication scale (PCCS), which was compiled from 2703 respondents (75.0%) reporting at least one provider visit within 12 months. It was rated on a four-point Likert scale: always, usually, sometimes, and never. We used binary logistic regression to examine the association between sociodemographic and health-related variables, and each element of the PCCS. RESULTS For all elements, the percentage of respondents who agreed that their healthcare providers always communicated in a patient-centered way was low (17-31%). Patients with higher age, higher education, poorer general health status and a larger number of visits to providers in the previous 12 months were more likely to have positive perception. CONCLUSION Patient-centered communication as reported in a national sample in Japan was low. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Efforts are needed to improve the patient-centeredness of patient-provider communication in Japan to optimize health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masako Okamura
- Division of Survivorship, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maiko Fujimori
- Division of Survivorship, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Aki Otsuki
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Prevention, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junko Saito
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiko Yaguchi-Saito
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan; Faculty of Human Sciences, Tokiwa University, Mito, Japan
| | - Aya Kuchiba
- Division of Biostatistical Research, Institution for Cancer Control/ Biostatistics Division, Center for Administration and Support, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan; Graduate School of Health Innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yosuke Uchitomi
- Division of Survivorship, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taichi Shimazu
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan.
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Kim MS, Kim SH. Health information-seeking behavior in patients with coronary artery disease: Activating methods. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300755. [PMID: 38630654 PMCID: PMC11023259 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Coronary artery disease (CAD) has a high mortality rate worldwide, and continuous health behavior practice and careful management are required owing to risks such as rapid changes in symptoms and emergency hospitalization. The utilization of health-related information is an important factor for long-term disease management in patients with CAD. For this purpose, an understanding of health information-seeking behavior is needed first. METHODS This study analyzed data from the 2021 Korea Medical Panel Survey, and logistic regression analysis was conducted to confirm the factors influencing the health information-seeking behavior of patients with CAD. RESULTS The health information-seeking behavior of patients with CAD differed according to demographic characteristics, and differences in preferred information use were confirmed. Finally, it was identified that insufficient levels of health literacy were a major reason for CAD patients not engaging in health information-seeking behaviors (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.09-0.33; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION This study suggests that to improve health information-seeking behaviors, the application of education and intervention programs to increase the level of health literacy is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Song Kim
- Yeungnam Medical Center, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hee Kim
- College of Nursing, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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Miyawaki R, Oka K, Otsuki AK, Saito J, Yaguchi-Saito A, Kuchiba A, Fujimori M, Kreps GL, Shimazu T. Trust in Mass Media as Sources of Cancer Information: Findings from a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey in Japan. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024; 29:143-154. [PMID: 38126891 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2023.2294471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Trust is a major factor in effective public dissemination and use of relevant health information to guide important health decisions. To examine mass media as a communication channel for delivering cancer information among Japanese adults, we identified the level of trust in various types of mass media as sources of cancer information, and examined factors associated with trust, including exposure to mass media, sociodemographic factors, and cancer history. Data were analyzed for 3,109 Japanese adults who responded to a nationally representative cross-sectional mail survey. Data included trust in cancer information sources, sociodemographic variables, cancer history, and exposure to mass media. Logistic regression analysis was used. The prevalence of high trust in cancer information sources was highest for physicians (94.7%). Among mass media, Internet (47.2%) was the most trusted source of cancer-related information, followed by television (44.3%), newspapers/magazines (42.7%), and radio (32.7%). The high-exposure group for newspapers (AOR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.07-1.54) was more likely to trust newspapers. Similarly, high-exposure groups for radio (1.22, 1.02-1.45), Internet (1.21, 1.01-1.45), and television (1.30, 1.10-1.53) were positively associated with trust in each media type. Although trust in mass media was lower than trust in physicians, the study found that a large group of respondents had high levels of trust in mass media sources. Trust in cancer information from each mass media type was mainly related to the level of exposure to each mass media type. Developing health communication strategies using mass media may be effective for disseminating relevant cancer information in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rina Miyawaki
- School of Arts and Letters, Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichiro Oka
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama, Japan
| | - AKi Otsuki
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Prevention, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junko Saito
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiko Yaguchi-Saito
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Tokiwa University, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Aya Kuchiba
- Division of Biostatistical Research, Institution for Cancer Control/Biostatistics Division, Center for Research Administration and Support, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Health Innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Services Kanagawa Japan
| | - Maiko Fujimori
- Division of Survivorship Research, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gary L Kreps
- Center for Health and Risk Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Taichi Shimazu
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
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Shah V, Lava CX, Hakimi AA, Hoa M. Evaluating Quality, Credibility, and Readability of Online Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Information. Laryngoscope 2024. [PMID: 38280186 DOI: 10.1002/lary.31278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE With over-the-counter hearing aids being recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the accuracy and usefulness of online information has not yet been examined. This study evaluates the quality, credibility, readability, and accessibility of online over-the-counter hearing aids education materials. METHODS Google was queried using the search term "over-the-counter hearing aids". The top 50 results were categorized into healthcare versus non-healthcare authored resources. The Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) tests were utilized to assess readability, whereas the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose (CRAAP) test and DISCERN instruments were used to assess quality and credibility. The number of clicks taken to access relevant information on each website was used to assess accessibility. RESULTS There was no significant difference in FRES or FKGL readability scores between healthcare and non-healthcare authored websites (p = 0.5548, p = 0.5981, respectively), but both readability scores were higher than that of the recommended reading level for patient education materials. There was no significant difference in CRAAP and DISCERN scores between both groups (p = 0.5746, p = 0.1699, respectively). The number of clicks did not significantly differ between healthcare and non-healthcare authored resources (p = 0.4932). CONCLUSION This study highlights poor readability and accessibility of virtual healthcare information regarding OTC hearing aids. Although credibility in articles authored by healthcare and non-healthcare professionals was adequate, readability was greatly compromised due to the written information exceeding the recommended United States reading level. Accessibility posed a similar issue, as many sites required multiple clicks to access product information. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veranca Shah
- School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, U.S.A
| | - Christian X Lava
- School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, U.S.A
| | - Amir A Hakimi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, U.S.A
| | - Michael Hoa
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, U.S.A
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Hoff TA, Heller S, Reichel JL, Werner AM, Schäfer M, Tibubos AN, Simon P, Beutel ME, Letzel S, Rigotti T, Dietz P. Cigarette Smoking, Risky Alcohol Consumption, and Marijuana Smoking among University Students in Germany: Identification of Potential Sociodemographic and Study-Related Risk Groups and Predictors of Consumption. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:3182. [PMID: 38132073 PMCID: PMC10742791 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11243182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Cigarette smoking, risky alcohol consumption, and marijuana smoking are the most common behaviors related to legal and illicit drug use worldwide, including among university students. To plan effective evidence-based programs to prevent the risky consumption of these substances among university students, the present study aimed to identify potential sociodemographic and study-related risk groups and predictors of consumption. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional online health survey with approximately 270 health-related items was conducted among students at the University of Mainz, Germany. Cigarette smoking, risky alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C score: female ≥ 4, male ≥ 5), and marijuana smoking were chosen as dependent variables. Of the 270 health-related items, 56 were chosen as independent variables and collated into five groups (sociodemographic, psychological, study-related psychosocial, general psychosocial and health behavior). The prevalence of cigarette smoking, risky alcohol consumption, and marijuana smoking was assessed using established and validated instruments. Pearson's chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in prevalence between the sociodemographic and study-related groups, and binary logistic regression was used for analyses with stepwise inclusion of the five variable groups. (3) Results: Of the 3991 university students who entered the analyses, 14.9% reported smoking cigarettes, 38.6% reported risky alcohol consumption, and 10.9% reported smoking marijuana. The prevalence of these differed between genders, fields of study, and aspired degree level, among other factors. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed nine significant predictors (p ≤ 0.05) of cigarette smoking (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.314), 18 significant predictors of risky alcohol consumption (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.270), and 16 significant predictors of marijuana smoking (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.239). (4) Conclusions: This study showed cigarette smoking, risky alcohol consumption, and marijuana smoking among university students in Germany to be associated with multiple factors, especially health behaviors. Furthermore, each of the substances was highly associated with each of the two other substances we examined. Other variable groups, such as psychological or psychosocial variables, seemed to play a rather minor role. Therefore, our recommendation for future prevention programs is that substance use among university students should be addressed as a whole, not just in terms of specific substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thilo A. Hoff
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (T.A.H.); (S.H.); (J.L.R.); (S.L.)
| | - Sebastian Heller
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (T.A.H.); (S.H.); (J.L.R.); (S.L.)
| | - Jennifer L. Reichel
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (T.A.H.); (S.H.); (J.L.R.); (S.L.)
| | - Antonia M. Werner
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.M.W.); (A.N.T.); (M.E.B.)
| | - Markus Schäfer
- Department of Communication, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55122 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Ana Nanette Tibubos
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.M.W.); (A.N.T.); (M.E.B.)
- Nursing Science, Diagnostics in Healthcare and E-Health, Trier University, 54296 Trier, Germany
| | - Perikles Simon
- Department of Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation and Disease Prevention, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55122 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Manfred E. Beutel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.M.W.); (A.N.T.); (M.E.B.)
| | - Stephan Letzel
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (T.A.H.); (S.H.); (J.L.R.); (S.L.)
| | - Thomas Rigotti
- Department of Work, Organizational and Business Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55122 Mainz, Germany;
- Leibniz Institute of Resilience Research, 55122 Mainz, Germany
| | - Pavel Dietz
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (T.A.H.); (S.H.); (J.L.R.); (S.L.)
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Fisse T, Link E, Schrimpff C, Baumann E, Klimmt C. Health Information Repertoires of Implant Patients: Toward a Deeper Understanding of Multiple Source Use and the Role of Health-Related Motives. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37733032 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2023.2258597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Health information-seeking behavior can be understood as an active and purposeful acquisition of information from selected information sources. It supports patients to cope with medical and health-related uncertainties and enables them to engage in informed decision-making. To obtain health information, patients can turn to a variety of sources, such as going to a physician, exchanging information with their family, or using different Internet sources. Research showed that patients typically use multiple sources to meet their health-related information needs. To attain a holistic and differentiated picture of patients' actual health information behavior, the current study draws on the repertoire approach. We conducted an online survey with 1,105 implant patients and performed a cluster analysis to explore their health information repertoires. To gain a deeper understanding of the practical meaning behind the repertoires, we also considered health-related information motives and socio-structural factors, as well as the implant type (dental, orthopedic, cochlear), to characterize the repertoires. The study revealed seven different health information repertoires of implant patients, varying in their combination of multiple sources used. In addition, group comparisons showed that the repertoires differ significantly regarding socio-structural factors, such as gender, age, and education, as well as implant type. Furthermore, information motives contribute significantly to the differentiation of the repertoires. The results are of high theoretical potential for communication science as well as practical use for strategic health communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Fisse
- Department of Journalism and Communication Research, Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media
| | - Elena Link
- Department of Communication, Johannes Gutenberg-University
| | - Charlotte Schrimpff
- Department of Journalism and Communication Research, Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media
| | - Eva Baumann
- Department of Journalism and Communication Research, Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media
| | - Christoph Klimmt
- Department of Journalism and Communication Research, Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media
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Lu Q, Schulz PJ. How Physicians Tackle Internet-Misinformed Patients: Going Beyond Traditional Patient-Centered Communication - A Study Protocol. ADVANCES IN MEDICAL EDUCATION AND PRACTICE 2023; 14:983-988. [PMID: 37701424 PMCID: PMC10493147 DOI: 10.2147/amep.s425434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Background The proliferation of misleading and irrelevant health information on the Internet has become a significant public concern. Inappropriate use of online materials can cause harm to patients' health and quality of life. While close attention has been paid to health campaigns and education programs that aim to disseminate accurate health knowledge, the role of physicians, who directly communicate with patients in medical encounters and provide personalized information, has been overlooked. Therefore, this study focuses on physicians and their communication strategies with internet-misinformed patients (IMPs). Objective This study aims to understand the communicative strategies physicians use to tackle IMPs and explore connections between physicians' communicative strategies and patient-centered communication. Methods Approximately 10 to 15 physicians from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Ticino (an Italian-speaking region in Switzerland), Milan and China will be interviewed. Interviews will be conducted in-person or online through video conferencing software programs. Physicians will be asked about their experiences with IMPs, communicative strategies for addressing patients' misconceptions, balancing patient preferences, decision-making obstacles, and envisioning an ideal relationship with them. A thematic analysis will be utilized to analyze data, employing a general inductive approach. Discussion The results will provide valuable insights into effective clinical communication strategies that address patients' misuse of internet materials and inform policymakers and healthcare providers about the limitations and applicability of patient-centered communication in the current digital era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianfeng Lu
- Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Peter J Schulz
- Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
- Department of Communication & Media, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
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Hu Y, Qiu X, Ji C, Wang F, He M, He L, Chen L. Post-stroke experiences and health information needs among Chinese elderly ischemic stroke survivors in the internet environment: a qualitative study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1150369. [PMID: 37663326 PMCID: PMC10471187 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1150369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Elderly stroke survivors are encouraged to receive appropriate health information to prevent recurrences. After discharge, older patients seek health information in everyday contexts, examining aspects that facilitate or impair healthy behavior. Objectives To explore the experiences of older stroke patients when searching for health information, focusing on search methods, identification of health information, and difficulties faced during the search process. Methods Using the qualitative descriptive methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen participants. Results Participants associated the health information they sought with concerns about future life prospects triggered by perceived intrusive changes in their living conditions. Based on the participants' descriptions, four themes were refined: participants' motivation to engage in health information acquisition behavior, basic patterns of health information search, source preferences for health information, and difficulties and obstacles in health information search, and two search motivation subthemes, two search pattern subthemes, four search pathway subthemes, and four search difficulty subthemes were further refined. Conclusion Older stroke patients face significant challenges in searching for health information online. Healthcare professionals should assess survivors' health information-seeking skills, develop training programs, provide multichannel online access to health resources, and promote secondary prevention for patients by improving survivors' health behaviors and self-efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufan Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xichenhui Qiu
- Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Cuiling Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Manlan He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Grimm M, Link E, Albrecht M, Czerwinski F, Baumann E, Suhr R. Exploring Functions and Predictors of Digital Health Engagement Among German Internet Users: Survey Study. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e44024. [PMID: 37379058 PMCID: PMC10365627 DOI: 10.2196/44024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital health engagement may serve many support functions, such as providing access to information; checking or evaluating one's state of health; and tracking, monitoring, or sharing health data. Many digital health engagement behaviors are associated with the potential to reduce inequalities in information and communication. However, initial studies suggest that health inequalities may persist in the digital realm. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the functions of digital health engagement by describing how frequently respective services are used for a range of purposes and how these purposes can be categorized from the users' perspective. This study also aimed to identify the prerequisites for successfully implementing and using digital health services; therefore, we shed light on the predisposing, enabling, and need factors that may predict digital health engagement for different functions. METHODS Data were gathered via computer-assisted telephone interviews during the second wave of the German adaption of the Health Information National Trends Survey in 2020 (N=2602). The weighted data set allowed for nationally representative estimates. Our analysis focused on internet users (n=2001). Engagement with digital health services was measured by their reported use for 19 different purposes. Descriptive statistics showed the frequency with which digital health services were used for these purposes. Using a principal component analysis, we identified the underlying functions of these purposes. Using binary logistic regression models, we analyzed which predisposing factors (age and sex), enabling factors (socioeconomic status, health- and information-related self-efficacy, and perceived target efficacy), and need factors (general health status and chronic health condition) can predict the use of the distinguished functions. RESULTS Digital health engagement was most commonly linked to acquiring information and less frequently to more active or interactive purposes such as sharing health information with other patients or health professionals. Across all purposes, the principal component analysis identified 2 functions. Information-related empowerment comprised items on acquiring health information in various forms, critically assessing one's state of health, and preventing health problems. In total, 66.62% (1333/2001) of internet users engaged in this behavior. Health care-related organization and communication included items on patient-provider communication and organizing health care. It was applied by 52.67% (1054/2001) of internet users. Binary logistic regression models showed that the use of both functions was determined by predisposing factors (female and younger age) and certain enabling factors (higher socioeconomic status) and need factors (having a chronic condition). CONCLUSIONS Although a large share of German internet users engage with digital health services, predictors show that existing health-related disparities prevail in the digital realm. To make use of the potential of digital health services, fostering digital health literacy at different levels, especially in vulnerable groups, is key.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Link
- Department of Communication, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Fabian Czerwinski
- Department of Journalism and Communication Research, University of Music, Drama and Media Hanover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Eva Baumann
- Department of Journalism and Communication Research, University of Music, Drama and Media Hanover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Ralf Suhr
- Stiftung Gesundheitswissen, Berlin, Germany
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Chen X, McMaughan DJ, Li M, Kreps GL, Ariati J, Han H, Rhoads KE, Mahaffey CC, Miller BM. Trust in and Use of COVID-19 Information Sources Differs by Health Literacy among College Students. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11060831. [PMID: 36981488 PMCID: PMC10048640 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11060831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
People’s health information-seeking behaviors differ by their health literacy levels. This study assessed the relationship between health literacy and college students’ levels of trust in and use of a range of health information sources of COVID-19. We collected data from August to December 2020 among college students (n = 763) through an online survey. We used a health literacy measure containing three self-reported survey questions, developed by the CDC. We assessed the extent to which participants trusted and used any of the sixteen different sources of information about COVID-19. Respondents reported high levels of trusting and using COVID-19 information from the CDC, health care providers, the WHO, state/county/city health departments, and official government websites when compared to other sources. After controlling for demographic characteristics (i.e., gender, age, race, ethnicity, and income), those who reported having lower health literacy were significantly less likely to trust and use COVID-19 information from these health authorities when compared to participants who reported having higher health literacy. Students with lower self-reported health literacy indicated not trusting or using official health authority sources for COVID-19 information. Relying on low-quality information sources could create and reinforce people’s misperceptions regarding the virus, leading to low compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures and poor health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewei Chen
- School of Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; (D.J.M.); (H.H.); (K.E.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Darcy Jones McMaughan
- School of Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; (D.J.M.); (H.H.); (K.E.R.)
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Health Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252, USA;
| | - Gary L. Kreps
- Center for Health and Risk Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA;
| | - Jati Ariati
- School of Educational Foundation, Leadership, and Aviation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA;
- Department of Psychology, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang 50275, Indonesia
| | - Ho Han
- School of Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; (D.J.M.); (H.H.); (K.E.R.)
| | - Kelley E. Rhoads
- School of Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; (D.J.M.); (H.H.); (K.E.R.)
| | - Carlos C. Mahaffey
- College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA;
| | - Bridget M. Miller
- Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA;
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