scholarly journals Exploring Health Information-Seeking Preferences of Older Adults With Hypertension: Quasi-Experimental Design (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Sak ◽  
Peter Johannes Schulz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Additional Information

BACKGROUND Patients’ engagement in health care decision making is constituted by at least two behaviors: health information seeking and active involvement in medical decisions. Previous research reported that older adults desire a lot of information, but want to participate in decision making to a lesser degree. However, there is only limited evidence on the effect of desire for health information on seniors’ perceived confidence in making an informed choice (ie, decision self-efficacy). OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to investigate the role desire for health information has for older patients. More specifically, it tested whether decision self-efficacy increases as a function of an assisted computer-based information search. Additionally, the study allowed insights into the sources seniors with hypertension prefer to consult. METHODS A sample of 101 senior citizens (aged ≥60 years) with high blood pressure in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland answered a questionnaire before and after an informational intervention was applied. The intervention consisted of offering additional information on hypertension from five different sources and of providing the information the participant desired. Preference for receiving this information was the major independent variable. The main outcome measure was decision self-efficacy (assessed at baseline and posttest). Analyses of covariance were conducted to detect differences between and within who desired additional hypertension-related content (intervention group) and “information avoiders” (control group). RESULTS Health care professionals firmly remain the preferred and most trusted source of health information for senior patients. The second most consulted source was the internet (intervention group only). However, among the total sample, the internet obtained the lowest credibility score. A significant increase in decision self-efficacy occurred in seniors consulting additional information compared to information avoiders (F1,93=28.25, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Consulting health information on a computer screen, and assistance by a computer-savvy person, may be a helpful activity to increase perceived confidence in making treatment decisions in seniors with hypertension.

Older Adults and Internet Health Information Seeking

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamer El-Attar ◽  
Jarvis Gray ◽  
Sankaran N. Nair ◽  
Raymond Ownby ◽  
Sara J. Czaja
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Internet Health Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Applications

The internet has created new possibilities for individuals to assume a more pronounced role in their own healthcare. This paper reports results from a study that examined the perceptions of older people of usability and trust in Internet health information. Information was also gathered on their ability to search for health information. Participants included 64 adults aged 60-82 years who were asked to answer health-related queries using websites that varied in usability. They were also asked to provide ratings of usability and of their trust in Internet health information. The results indicated that performance was lower for the “low usability” websites. Participants also rated these websites as having poorer layout, being harder to navigate, less useful and less understandable. The majority of the sample indicated that they would use the internet to find health information. These findings underscore the importance of considering usability issues when designing e-health applications.

scholarly journals Influencing Factors of Online Health Information Seeking in Selected European Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-55
Author(s):  
Elena Link ◽  
Eva Baumann ◽  
Annemiek Linn ◽  
Andreas Fahr ◽  
Peter Schulz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
European Countries ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Personal Health ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Online Health Information Seeking

Patients’ participation in healthcare requires comprehensive health knowledge and can benefit from online health information seeking behaviours (O-HISB). The internet is a particularly vital source for seeking health-related information in many regions of the world. Therefore, we take a European cross-country comparative perspective on O-HISB. We aim to compare the importance of personal, health(care)-related, and cognitive determinants of using the internet for health-related purposes in four European countries. We conducted online surveys among the German, Swiss, Dutch, and Austrian public and described patterns of health information seeking online. The internet seemed to be a widely used source of health information in the four selected European countries. The explanation patterns of personal, health(care)-related, and cognitive factors differ by country and between selecting the internet as a source of health information and the frequency of online use. Using online media appeared to be more common for women and for current health problems. Respondents’ willingness and competencies are essential for online health information seeking. To prevent the increase of social and health-related disparities, there is an urgent need to support underprivileged population groups and increase motivations and eHealth literacy to use the internet for health-related purposes.

scholarly journals Correlates of Older Adults’ E-Health Information-Seeking Behaviors

Gerontology ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sara Pourrazavi ◽  
Kamiar Kouzekanani ◽  
Mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi ◽  
Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi ◽  
Mina Hashemiparast ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviors

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The Internet is an important source for health information and a medium for older adults’ empowerment in health decision-making and self-caring. Therefore, we aimed to identify the potential motivators and probable barriers of e-health information-seeking behaviors (e-HISB) among older Iranian adults. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A cross-sectional study assessed the usefulness of self-efficacy, perceived encouragement, positive attitude toward e-HISB, perceived usefulness, challenges of being visited by physicians, and perceived barriers in predicting e-HISB in a sample of 320 older adults in Tabriz, Iran. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The self-efficacy for online information seeking, positive attitude toward e-HISB, and perceived usefulness increased the odds of e-HISB by 12.00%, 24.00%, and 15.00%, respectively. In addition, e-health literacy, conflicting information, distrust of online information, and web designs that were not senior-friendly were the major barriers to e-HISB. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> The theoretical and practical implications of the motivators and barriers of e-HISB can be instrumental in designing and executing programs aimed at improving e-health literacy among older adults especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Factors influencing online health information seeking behavior among patients in Kwahu West Municipal, Nkawkaw, Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richmond Dery Nangsangna ◽  
Frances Da-Costa Vroom
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Online Health Information Seeking

Over the years, there has been a lot of transformation in the way health care is delivered and how individuals access health. Rapid growth in technology has been attributed to the advancement. The internet has played a key role in the delivery of health care and serves currently as a huge source of health information to individuals regardless of their location, language or time.This cross sectional study was conducted in the Kwahu West Municipal to determine factors influencing online health information seeking behaviors among patients. Three hospitals in the municipality were purposively selected for the study.  Outpatients attending these facilities were systematically selected. Data was collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire.The study findings revealed that internet usage rate among patients was 85.8%. However, only 35.7% of patients ever used the internet to access health information. Sex, education and average monthly income were significant factors associated with online health information seeking. The study also showed that, computer and internet experience factors increased the probability of using internet for health information. After adjusting for confounding factors, being employed, earning higher income and owning computer were positive predictors of online health information seeking.It is important to explore other means of reducing the disparity in information access by improving skill and health literacy among the low social class who cannot afford internet ready devices. Health care providers should recognize that patients are using the internet for health information and should be prepared to assist and promote internet user skills among their patients.

Older Adults' Health Information Needs and the Effect of the Internet

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
Jessica Hirth ◽  
Sara J. Czaja ◽  
Joseph Sharit
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Information ◽  
Internet Users

Internet-based health information may be particularly beneficial for older adults as this segment of the population is likely to need healthcare information and services and often experiences problems accessing needed services and care. In order to effectively design e-health tools for seniors it is important to understand their health information needs and factors that enhance or impede their ability to use the Internet. Another important issue is to determine if in fact health information needs are satisfied to a greater extent between Internet users and non-users. This study explored these issues using six focus groups comprised of 35 adults aged 50+ ( M = 69.71 years) with varying levels of Internet-based health information-seeking experience. Results indicated that the adults who used the Internet were quite satisfied with finding information from this source; however non-users were also quite satisfied with the more traditional sources that they rely on for health information.

scholarly journals Use of Health Information Varies by Region Among Older Adults in the U.S.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233372142199719
Author(s):  
Arlesia Mathis ◽  
Ronica N. Rooks ◽  
Jacqueline Wiltshire
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Geographic Variations ◽  
Health Information Sources

Objective: To examine geographic variations in health information use among older adults in the United States. Methods: We compared 15,531 adults (age 45 and older) across four U.S. regions. Descriptive analyses were conducted to assess health information seeking and use by year. The relationship between health information seeking or use and regional changes were assessed using binomial logistic regression. Binomial models were adjusted by socio-demographics, chronic conditions, and health information sources. Magnitude and direction of relationships were assessed using adjusted odds ratios (aORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p-values. Results: Only the Northeast region showed increases in health information seeking (3.8%) and use (4.5%) among older adults. However adjusted models showed those living in the Northeast were 28% less likely to use health information to maintain their health and 32% less likely to use health information to treat illness. Conclusion: As a result of the current pandemic, older adults are facing a growing burden from health care expenses. Inability to gather and use health information for personal safety or self care can potentially increase inequalities in health, especially for older adults without personal health care providers.

Older adults and internet health information seeking

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamer El-Attar ◽  
Jarvis Gray ◽  
Sankaran N. Nair ◽  
Raymond Ownby ◽  
Sara J. Czaja
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Internet Health Information
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