I Read It Online: Understanding How Undergraduate Students Assess the Accuracy of Online Sources of Health Information

2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762199057
Author(s):  
Anthony Dissen ◽  
Qudratullah Qadiri ◽  
Charles J. Middleton
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health And Wellness ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The Public ◽  
Qualitative Feedback ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Sources Of Health Information ◽  
Online Sources

Online sources of health information are a significant means by which the public educates itself about health and wellness. The purpose of this study is to investigate how undergraduate students evaluate and assess health-related websites for accuracy, as well as the self-reported factors used in identifying whether a website is an accurate source of information. One hundred and fifty-seven students participated by reviewing a series of 10 health-related websites and indicated whether they believed the website to be an accurate source of health information. Students completed an open-ended question to self-report how they made this determination. Results indicate that students were not able to accurately distinguish between credible sources of web-based health information and those sources that were previously categorized as not being credible sources. Analysis of self-reported qualitative feedback gave rise to 6 factors used to determine the accuracy of the websites reviewed. While students report using these factors, and these factors are consistent with previous research, this does not appear then to be translating to successful determination of a source’s accuracy. Educating students in proper fact-checking and evaluation skills may be warranted to develop a generation of individuals who can be said to have better health literacy.

Quantitative Methods for Measuring Neighborhood Characteristics in Neighborhood Health Research

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin T. Duncan ◽  
William C. Goedel ◽  
Rumi Chunara
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Neighborhood Characteristics ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Neighborhood Characteristic ◽  
Social Observation ◽  
Gis Methods ◽  
Information Retrieval Methods ◽  
Online Sources

Research connecting neighborhoods and health has characterized neighborhood factors in multiple ways. This chapter discusses standard and emerging methods to measure and study neighborhood characteristics. In particular, this chapter provides an overview of neighborhood characteristic assessment methods, including self-report, systematic social observation, geographic information system (GIS) methods, Web-based geospatial methods, real-time geospatial methods, crowd-sourced geospatial methods, and information retrieval methods from online sources such as Instagram and Twitter. This chapter also discusses the strengths and limitations of each neighborhood characteristic assessment method (e.g., ease of administration, validity), and readers are provided with examples of each neighborhood assessment method applied in the epidemiology and population health literature.

scholarly journals Development of an Instrument to Assess Parents’ Excessive Web-Based Searches for Information Pertaining to Their Children’s Health: The “Children’s Health Internet Research, Parental Inventory” (CHIRPI)

10.2196/16148 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. e16148
Author(s):  
Antonia Barke ◽  
Bettina K Doering
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Children's Health ◽  
Internet Research ◽  
Children’S Health ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Main Effects

Background People often search the internet to obtain health-related information not only for themselves but also for family members and, in particular, their children. However, for a minority of parents, such searches may become excessive and distressing. Little is known about excessive web-based searching by parents for information regarding their children’s health. Objective This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument designed to assess parents' web-based health information searching behavior, the Children’s Health Internet Research, Parental Inventory (CHIRPI). Methods A pilot survey was used to establish the instrument (21 items). CHIRPI was validated online in a second sample (372/384, 96.9% mothers; mean age 32.7 years, SD 5.8). Item analyses, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and correlations with parents’ perception of their children’s health-related vulnerability (Child Vulnerability Scale, CVS), parental health anxiety (modified short Health Anxiety Inventory, mSHAI), and parental cyberchondria (Cyberchondria Severity Scale, CSS-15) were calculated. A subset of participants (n=73) provided retest data after 4 weeks. CHIRPI scores (total scores and subscale scores) of parents with a chronically ill child and parents who perceived their child to be vulnerable (CVS+; CVS>10) were compared with 2×2 analyses of variances (ANOVAs) with the factors Child’s Health Status (chronically ill vs healthy) and perceived vulnerability (CVS+ vs CVS−). Results CHIRPI’s internal consistency was standardized alpha=.89. The EFA identified three subscales: Symptom Focus (standardized alpha=.87), Implementing Advice (standardized alpha=.74) and Distress (standardized alpha=.89). The retest reliability of CHIRPI was measured as rtt=0.78. CHIRPI correlated strongly with CSS-15 (r=0.66) and mSHAI (r=0.39). The ANOVAs comparing the CHIRPI total score and the subscale scores for parents having a chronically ill child and parents perceiving their child as vulnerable revealed the main effects for perceiving one’s child as vulnerable but not for having a chronically ill child. No interactions were found. This pattern was observed for the CHIRPI total score (η2=0.053) and each subscale (Symptom Focus η2=0.012; Distress η2=0.113; and Implementing Advice η2=0.018). Conclusions The psychometric properties of CHIRPI are excellent. Correlations with mSHAI and CSS-15 indicate its validity. CHIRPI appears to be differentially sensitive to excessive searches owing to parents perceiving their child’s health to be vulnerable rather than to higher informational needs of parents with chronically ill children. Therefore, it may help to identify parents who search excessively for web-based health information. CHIRPI (and, in particular, the Distress subscale) seems to capture a pattern of factors related to anxious health-related cognitions, emotions, and behaviors of parents, which is also applied to their children.

The Changing Nature of Health Information Dissemination through the Role of Social Media

2013 ◽  
Vol 411-414 ◽  
pp. 110-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Dumbrell ◽  
Robert Steele
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Public Health Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Information Sources

Traditional forms of health information dissemination have previously involved a few key organizations originating health-related information and disseminating this to clinicians and the community. This information was typically disseminated via private, formalized and non-digital interactions between health information sources (HIS) and clinicians and consumers. With the introduction of the Internet, Web-based health information dissemination led to some changes with greater availability of online health information. However the recent adoption and uptake of social media has led to many more parties, both organizations of varying types, and individuals, participating in public health information dissemination; and this has also led to new forms of sharing health-related information, particularly involving a greater role for individuals. In this paper we introduce empirical findings in relation to how organizations and individuals are now using social media for sharing health information, and from this suggest themes to describe the changes from traditional to contemporary health information dissemination, as well as the new emerging roles and forms of interaction for health information dissemination.

scholarly journals Web-based health Information Seeking and eHealth Literacy among College students. A Self-report study

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh KHademian ◽  
Mahsa Roozrokh Arshadi Montazer ◽  
Azam Aslani
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Self Report ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
Quality Health

Objective. This study aimed to assess web-based health information seeking and eHealth literacy among Iranian college students. Methods. The study was conducted in five colleges of the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran during 2018. The data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of seven questions on a 4-point Likert-type scale, with scores ranging from 7 to 28. These questions were: ′I know how to use the Internet to answer my questions about health′, ′I think there is enough information about health-related issues on the Internet′, ′I know the vocabulary used in health issues on the Internet′, ′I can tell high-quality health resources from low-quality health resources on the Internet′, ′I know how to use the health information I find on the Internet to help me′, ′I feel confident in using information from the Internet to make health decisions′, and ′Searching for health-related information on the Internet will increase my knowledge in this field′. High eHealth literacy level is defined as above the total mean score and low eHealth literacy level is defined as lower than the total mean score. Results. In all, 386 college students participated in the study. The results showed that the mean score of eHealth literacy was 19.11 out of 28; 205 participants (54.4%) had low eHealth literacy. In addition, the students used the Internet to search for information regarding diseases symptoms (70%), physical illnesses (67.1%), existing treatments (65%), and diagnosis (63.1%). Conclusion. The results showed that participants in this study usually searched for illnesses, symptoms, and treatments after they got sick and paid little attention to other aspects related to integral health.How to cite this article: KHademian F, Roozrokh M, Aslani A. Web-based health Information Seeking and eHealth Literacy among College students. A Self-report study. Invest. Educ. Enferm. 2020. 38(1):e08.

scholarly journals Psychological Influence towards Health Consumers Intention to use A Malaysia National Web based Health Information Service

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (7) ◽  
pp. 167
Author(s):  
Siti Noraini Mohd Tobi ◽  
Maslin Masrom ◽  
Erne Suzila Kassim ◽  
Yap Bee Wah
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The Public ◽  
Psychological Influence ◽  
Belief Model

Drawing upon Health Belief Model, the study investigated the psychological predictors that determine the usage intention of the Malaysian web-based health information service, MyHEALTH Portal. The results of the measurement model show the evidences of outcome expectations and internal cues as the predictors to the portal usage, while external cues was found to be insignificant. The findings would help the Malaysia Ministry of Health in identifying significant psychological factors that influence the portal usage. This would allow them to re-strategize the portal’s marketing and promotional works effectively thus to be maximally used by the public while achieving its long-term goal.

scholarly journals Health Literacy in Web-Based Health Information Environments: Systematic Review of Concepts, Definitions, and Operationalization for Measurement (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Maija Huhta ◽  
Noora Hirvonen ◽  
Maija-Leena Huotari
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Conceptual Development ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Specific Concept

BACKGROUND Health literacy research seems to lack a consensus on what aspects to include into literacy in the context of health and on how to operationalize these concepts for measurement purposes. In addition to health literacy, several other concepts, such as electronic health (eHealth) literacy and mental health literacy, have been developed across disciplines. This study examines how these different concepts are used when studying health-related competencies in Web contexts. OBJECTIVE This study systematically reviews health literacy concepts and definitions and their operationalization in studies focused on Web-based health information environments. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted in April 2016 in 6 electronic databases with a limitation to articles in English published between January 2011 and April 2016. Altogether, 1289 unique records were identified and screened according to the predefined inclusion criteria: (1) original, peer-reviewed research articles written in English; (2) the topic of the article concerned literacy in the context of health; (3) informants of the study were lay people, not health professionals or students of the field; and (4) the focus of the study was placed on an Web-based information environment. In total, 180 full texts were screened, of which 68 were included in the review. The studies were analyzed with an emphasis on the used health literacy concepts and measures. RESULTS On the basis of the included studies, several concepts are in use when studying health-related literacy in Web environments, eHealth literacy and health literacy being the most common ones. The reviewed studies represent a variety of disciplines, but mostly medical sciences. Typically, quantitative research methods are used. On the basis of the definitions for health literacy, 3 thematic categories were identified: general and skill-based, multidimensional, and domain-specific health literacy. Most studies adopted a domain-specific concept, followed by the ones that used a general and skill-based concept. Multidimensional concepts occurred least frequently. The general health literacy concepts were usually operationalized with reading comprehension measures, the domain-specific concepts with self-efficacy measures, and multidimensional concepts with several types of measures. However, inconsistencies in operationalization were identified. CONCLUSIONS The results show that in studies conducted in Web-based information environments, several different health literacy concepts are in use, and there is no clear consensus on the definitions for these concepts. Future studies should place emphasis on the conceptual development of health literacy in Web contexts to gain better results on operationalization for measurement. Researchers are encouraged to provide clear operational definitions for the concepts they use to ensure transparency in reporting.

scholarly journals It takes a community to conceive: an analysis of the scope, nature and accuracy of online sources of health information for couples trying to conceive

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 48-63
Author(s):  
Sophie G.E. Kedzior ◽  
Tina Bianco-Miotto ◽  
James Breen ◽  
Kerrilyn R. Diener ◽  
Martin Donnelley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Sources Of Health Information ◽  
Online Sources

Empowering the public through web-based health information

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Krajnak ◽  
Irving Rootman ◽  
Jeanne Legare ◽  
Ellen Balka
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The Public

scholarly journals Students' Experiences of Seeking Web-Based Animal Health Information at the Ontario Veterinary College: Exploratory Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanette Lai ◽  
Deep Khosa ◽  
Andria Jones-Bitton ◽  
Cate E Dewey
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Veterinary Students ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Information Literacy Skills

BACKGROUND Although searching for health information on the internet has offered clear benefits of rapid access to information for seekers such as patients, medical practitioners, and students, detrimental effects on seekers’ experiences have also been documented. Health information overload is one such side effect, where an information seeker receives excessive volumes of potentially useful health-related messages that cannot be processed in a timely manner. This phenomenon has been documented among medical professionals, with consequences that include impacts on patient care. Presently, the use of the internet for health-related information, and particularly animal health information, in veterinary students has received far less research attention. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to explore veterinary students’ internet search experiences to understand how students perceived the nature of Web-based information and how these perceptions influence their information management. METHODS For this qualitative exploratory study, 5 separate focus groups and a single interview were conducted between June and October 2016 with a sample of 21 veterinary students in Ontario, Canada. RESULTS Thematic analysis of focus group transcripts demonstrated one overarching theme, <italic>The Overwhelming Nature of the Internet</italic>, depicted by two subthemes: <italic>Volume and Type of Web-based Health Information</italic> and <italic>Processing, Managing, and Evaluating Information</italic>. CONCLUSIONS Integrating electronic health information literacy training into human health sciences students’ training has shown to have positive effects on information management skills. Given a recent Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges report that considers health literacy as a professional competency, results of this study point to a direction for future research and for institutions to contemplate integrating information literacy skills in veterinary curricula. Specifically, we propose that the information literacy skills should include knowledge about access, retrieval, evaluation, and timely application of Web-based information.

scholarly journals Communicating Uncertainty From Limitations in Quality of Evidence to the Public in Written Health Information: Protocol for a Web-Based Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland Brian Büchter ◽  
Cornelia Betsch ◽  
Martina Ehrlich ◽  
Dennis Fechtelpeter ◽  
Ulrich Grouven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Treatment Effectiveness ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The Body ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The Public ◽  
Text Quality ◽  
Hypothetical Scenario

BACKGROUND Uncertainty is integral to evidence-informed decision making and is of particular importance for preference-sensitive decisions. Communicating uncertainty to patients and the public has long been identified as a goal in the informed and shared decision-making movement. Despite this, there is little quantitative research on how uncertainty in health information is perceived by readers. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to design an experiment to examine how different degrees of uncertainty (Q1) and different types of uncertainty (Q2) impact patients’ perception of treatment effectiveness, the body of evidence, text quality, and hypothetical treatment intention. The experiment also examines whether there is an additive effect when multiple sources of uncertainty are communicated (Q3). METHODS We developed 8 variations of a research summary set in a hypothetical scenario for a treatment decision in the context of tinnitus. These were modified only in the degree of uncertainty relating to the evidence of the presented treatment. We recruited members of the German public from a Web-based research panel and randomized them to one of 8 variations of the research summary to examine the 3 research questions. The trial was only open to the members of the research panel. The outcomes are perception of the effectiveness of the treatment (primary), certainty in the judgement of treatment effectiveness, perception of the body of evidence relating to the treatment, text quality, and decisional intention (secondary). Outcomes were self-assessed. We aimed to recruit 1500 participants to the trial. The recruitment and data collection was fully automated. Ethical approval was waivered by an ethics committee because of the negligible risk to participants. RESULTS This protocol is retrospectively published in its original format. In the meantime, the trial was set up and the data collection was completed. Data collection was conducted in May 2018. A total of 1727 eligible panel members were enrolled. CONCLUSIONS We aim to publish the results in a peer-reviewed journal by the end of 2019. In addition, results will be presented at conferences and disseminated among developers of guidance for the development of evidence-based health information and decision aids. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00015911; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do? navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00015911 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/77zyZTGzk) INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR RR1-10.2196/13425

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