Consumers’ Information-Seeking Behaviors on Dietary Supplements

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph P. Nathan ◽  
Elizabeth Kudadjie-Gyamfi ◽  
Leah Halberstam ◽  
Josephine T. Wright

Background Consumers are advised to seek information about dietary supplements (DS) before using them; little is known concerning whether this recommendation is heeded. Objective The objectives of this pilot study were to investigate whether users of DS seek information about these products before using them and particularly whether such information is sought from health-care professionals (HCPs). Methods Surveys administered face-to-face to adult consumers at three venues in New York City. Results Between November 2017 and October 2018, 199 consumers were surveyed. Of the 139 (70%) DS users, 104 (75%) used at least one DS that was not prescribed/recommended by an HCP. Of those, 88 (85%) reported seeking information about DS before using them and two (2%) noted that for some they do and for some they do not. The source of information most frequently used was the Internet (76; 84%). Pharmacists, dietitians/nutritionists, and medical doctors were reported to be a source of information by seven (8%), six (7%), and five (6%) of the respondents, respectively. DS were most commonly purchased at a pharmacy (76; 54%). Of the 199 participants, 111 (56%) perceived DS to be “very safe” or “safe,” while 20 (10%) reported that DS were “unsafe” or “very unsafe”; 60 (30%) participants were “neutral.” Conclusion Although most DS users sought information prior to using them, the majority did so by using the Internet and only a few consulted with an HCP. HCPs should be proactive in educating consumers about the importance of consulting with them prior to using these products.

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather B. Terrell

<p><em>In a literature survey on how reference collections have changed to accommodate patrons’ web-based information-seeking behaviors, one notes a marked “us vs. them” mentality — a fear that the Internet might render reference irrelevant. These anxieties are oft-noted in articles urging libraries to embrace digital and online reference sources. Why all the ambivalence? Citing existing research and literature, this essay explores myths about the supposed superiority of physical reference collections and how patrons actually use them, potential challenges associated with electronic reference collections and how providing vital e-reference collections benefits the library as well as its patrons.</em></p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 448-450
Author(s):  
Wil Lieberman-Cribbin ◽  
Naomi Alpert ◽  
Adam Gonzalez ◽  
Rebecca M Schwartz ◽  
Emanuela Taioli

Abstract In the midst of widespread community transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in New York, residents have sought information about COVID-19. We analyzed trends in New York State (NYS) and New York City (NYC) data to quantify the extent of COVID-19-related queries. Data on the number of 311 calls in NYC, Google Trend data on the search term ‘Coronavirus’ and information about trends in COVID-19 cases in NYS and the USA were compiled from multiple sources. There were 1228 994 total calls to 311 between 22 January 2020 and 22 April 2020, with 50 845 calls specific to COVID-19 in the study period. The proportion of 311 calls related to COVID-19 increased over time, while the ‘interest over time’ of the search term ‘Coronavirus’ has exponentially increased since the end of February 2020. It is vital that public health officials provide clear and up-to-date information about protective measures and crucial communications to respond to information-seeking behavior across NYC.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 562
Author(s):  
Yuni Rahmah ◽  
Elva Rahmah

AbstractIn this paper the language about Millennial Generation Information Search Behavior To Meet Information Needs. This study aims to describe the information seeking behavior of the millennial generation to meet the information needs of this study at the Padang State University. Data were collected through observation and distribution of questionnaires with students of the Indonesian and Regional Languages and Literature Department at Padang State University. Analyzing the data, concluded the following matters. (1). Starting - consists of activities that initiate information seeking activities. In general (100%) determine the topic especially before conducting an information search, in general (90%) conduct information search after discussion or consultation with lecturers, in general (95.23%) know the information needs when attending lectures, (88.4 %) know the information needs specifically, and in general (88%) do information when they are aware of and know the need for information. (2). Chaining - activities following a series of citations, citations or forms of reconciliation between documents with each other. In general (92.8 uses a bibliography to search information, generally (90.4%) use the author's name from the core reference to look for other references in conducting information searches, and in general (92.9%) use subjects from core reference to look for other references (3) Browsing - merawak, looking for, but rather directed, in areas that are considered to have the potential for the information needed.In general (73%) libraries can always meet information needs, in general In general (95.2%) look for information on the internet if the information you are looking for is not found in the printed source of information, (92.8%) generally directly looking for information on the internet if the information you need is not found in the printed source of information, at generally (45.22%) query identification (keywords). (4). Differentiating - sorting, using the features in the information source as a basic reference for checking quality or information content. in general (88%) the internet is the main source of information, in general (92.84%) The source of information printed is still very much needed in fulfilling information needs. (5). Monitoring - monitoring progress by focusing on selected sources. In general (88.09%) looked for the latest information through the internet by searching for the latest articles, in general (78.56%) needed to find the latest information to enrich the reference sources. (6). Extracting - systematically digging in one source to retrieve information that is considered important. In general (90.47 when you need information you often search the search engine (google, yahoo), in general (88.09 often uses a journal database to get information, in general (78.56%) after getting information on the internet , you directly copy the information, in general (76.19%) use the "Google" search engine because it is more relevant than other search engines.Keywords: behavior, millennial generation and information.


Author(s):  
Suptendra Nath Sarbadhikari

This chapter discusses the role of integrating medical education with medical practice through online collaborative learning among the various stakeholders involved with healthcare education and practice. It elaborates the discussion with examples of information needs and information-seeking behaviors of patients and physicians. The role of the Internet (infrastructure), and especially the WWW (applications and content), is elucidated with respect to the concepts of online collaborative learning as applied to medical education and practice where the emphasis is on user driven healthcare. “


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 190-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Soto Perez De Celis ◽  
Edgar Baltazar-Avalos ◽  
Lorena Ali Guadalupe Rocha-Rojo ◽  
Patricia Rojo-Castillo ◽  
Yanin Chavarri Guerra

190 Background: In order to improve the quality of the communication between the healthcare system and cancer survivors, it is fundamental to understand their preferred sources of health information. In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), little is known regarding which sources are used and trusted the most. This information is crucial to develop effective communication aimed at achieving high-quality equitable cancer care. Our objective was to explore the preferred sources of health information in Mexico, and to understand which factors influence these choices. Methods: We examined sources of health information among cancer survivors in Mexico City using questions from the Spanish Version of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). The characteristics of survivors who preferred the internet were compared with those who preferred other sources (doctors, printed materials, family members, organizations) using Fisher’s exact test. Logistic regression was used to assess the effects of patient characteristics on health information-seeking. Results: Of 148 participants, 82 (56%) had internet access. Of the 88 patients who had sought health information, 61 (69%) listed the internet as their preferred source. Those 65 and older were less likely to seek health information, regardless of the source (OR 0.17, p < 0.0001). Survivors who preferred the internet were more likely to be younger (p = 0.001), male (p = 0.003) and to have a higher educational level (p = 0.009). Comorbidities, stage, cancer type, and time from diagnosis had no effect on patient preferences. Doctors were the most trusted source of information (85%), followed by the internet (28%) and government agencies (23%). Conclusions: Mexican patients who seek health information online are more likely to be young educated males. Doctors represent the most trusted source of information, particularly for patients from vulnerable populations (such as older women with low educational levels). High-quality healthcare information programs in LMICs should be designed taking these behaviors into account, and patients should continue to receive health information via their most trusted sources.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Kun Sila Ananda

Recently, the Ministry of Education and Culture has established a policy for implementing face-to-face schools. Regarding this policy, students’ parents become a key point in order to make decisions to allow children to attend face-to-face schooling. Before decision making, parents must first reduce uncertainties and lack of information related to the policy. This study discusses the information-seeking behavior of parents related to face-to-face school policies and the decision-making. The method used is descriptive survey. Data collected through online surveys and interviews. The results showed that parents did the active and passive behavior on information seeking. The school (teachers, homeroom teachers, principals, etc.) is the most frequently referred source of information by parents and is considered the most trusted source of information. The most important information needed by parents is regarding the readiness of the school in the implementation of face-to-face learning during the pandemic. In decision-making process, parents often use information sources through online media and discussions with other parents. The majority of parents will delay decision making if the information obtained is deemed insufficient, while on the other hand parents can also experience decision-making failure due to information overload. Belakangan ini Kemdikbud telah menetapkan kebijakan pelaksanaan sekolah tatap muka. Selain akademisi, orang tua menjadi pihak krusial dalam hal ini terutama berkaitan dengan pengambilan keputusan untuk mengizinkan anak mengikuti pelaksanaan sekolah tatap muka. Sebelum mengambil keputusan terlebih dahulu orang tua harus mereduksi berbagai ketidakpastian dan kurangnya informasi terkait kebijakan tersebut. Penelitian ini membahas mengenai perilaku pencarian informasi yang dilakukan orang tua terkait kebijakan sekolah tatap muka hingga proses pengambilan keputusan. Metode yang digunakan adalah survei deskriptif dengan teknik pengumpulan data melalui survei dan wawancara. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa orang tua melakukan pencarian informasi secara aktif dan pasif. Pihak sekolah (guru, wali kelas, kepala sekolah, dsb) menjadi sumber informasi yang paling sering dirujuk oleh orang tua siswa sekaligus dianggap sebagai sumber informasi yang paling terpercaya. Informasi yang dianggap paling penting oleh orang tua siswa adalah mengenai kesiapan sekolah dalam pelaksanaan pembelajaran tatap muka di masa pandemi. Adapun dalam pengambilan keputusan orang tua seringkali memanfaatkan sumber informasi melalui media daring dan diskusi bersama orang tua siswa lainnya. Mayoritas orang tua akan menunda pengambilan keputusan jika informasi yang didapatkan dirasa belum cukup, sementara di sisi lain orang tua juga dapat mengalami kegagalan pengambilan keputusan karena paparan informasi yang terlalu berlebihan.


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