Health information in the digital age: an empirical study of the perceived benefits and costs of seeking and using health information from online sources

Abstract

Objective This paper aims to explore the determinants of the online health information seeking (OHIS) and usage (OHIU) behaviours of consumers based on the perceived benefits and costs of such activities. Methods This study applies questionnaires and empirical research methods. A questionnaire is designed according to the hypothesis model. A total of 282 questionnaires are obtained from patients and their accompanying families in two large hospitals, and the SPSS 17.0 and AMOS 17.0 (IBM, Almond, NY, USA) software are used to analyse the sample data and to test the research models. Results Three key findings are obtained from the analysis. Firstly, functional, learning, social and personal integrative benefits positively affect the OHIS intent of consumers. Secondly, cognitive costs negatively influence the OHIU behaviour of consumers. Thirdly, personal integrative benefits and OHIS behaviour significantly influence the OHIU behaviour of consumers. Conclusion This paper highlights the differences between OHIS and OHIU based on their impact factors and applies social exchange theory to understand such factors. Online health information providers must improve the ease of use of their websites or applications, enhance the quality of their health information and focus on their functionality.

Exploring the Determinants of Online Health Information-Seeking Behavior Using a Meta-Analytic Approach

“…The perceived cost can be divided into cognitive costs and execution costs, referring to users' psychological, cognitive responses, or evaluation of online health information seeking and the time, materials, or other resources it takes [11]. Therefore, the conclusion that users' online health information seeking behavior is influenced by time, ability, and other factors is convincing, just as previous studies have suggested [1,11,36].…”

“…Previous studies proposed that the effect of high Internet penetration rate and the accessibility of online health information reduce users' cognitive costs [1]. The resources users spend on OHISB for learning and using the technology is less than before.…”

“…The impact of health anxiety, gender, and Internet experience are significantly positively associated with OHISB [8].The association between information, social support, and OHISB are positive [9]. The perceived benefits, including learning benefits, functional benefits, social benefits, and personal integrative benefits, can promote OHISB [1].…”

“…The advancement of mobile communication and openness of mobile Internet make more and more people turn to mobile devices to obtain several types of information, such as medical and health information. There is a growing awareness of the importance of health, and health information can help determine treatments and provide coping mechanisms for people with chronic diseases [1]. For example, the insurance companies, Tencent, dxy.cn and Zhongan cooperate to integrate the intelligent blood glucose meter into the online health consultation and health management services of dxy.cn to treat diabetes, a chronic disease.…”

Using Facebook to gain health information and support: How attitude, norms, and locus of control predict women's intentions

“…The Internet, including social media, holds great potential in the communication of self-care and health-related information, and increasing numbers of people are using the Internet to seek such information (Lin, Zhang, Song, & Omori, 2016;Miller & Bell, 2012;Ren, Deng, Hong, & Zhang, 2019). Seeking and scanning health information is associated with gains in knowledge and implementing health behaviours (Shim, Kelly, & Hornik, 2006).…”