Health Information Obtained From the Internet and Changes in Medical Decision Making: Questionnaire Development and Cross-Sectional Survey

Chen, Yen-Yuan; Li, Chia-Ming; Liang, Jyh Chong; Tsai, Chin Chung

doi:10.2196/jmir.v20i2.9370

Cited by 27 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…9 This trend of publics searching for and contributing to health information online has been observed in a wide-range of healthrelated contexts. [14][15][16][17][18][19] Research shows that online discourse-which is often heavily influenced by celebrities and commercial entities-has an influential role on the health information people are exposed to, and consequently the health-related decisions they make . [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] As such, these online networked environments require analysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discussing non‐invasive prenatal testing on Reddit: The benefits, the concerns, and the comradery

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective As the use of non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) increases, its benefits and concerns are being examined through surveys, qualitative studies, and bioethical analysis. However, only scant research has examined public discourse on the topic. This research examined NIPT discussions on the social media platform Reddit. Method Content and qualitative description analysis was performed on 98 NIPT discussions (2682 comments), obtained by inputting “NIPT” into Reddit's search engine. Results Detailing of benefits and concerns was found in collaborative and supportive discussions. Overall, NIPT is seen as valuable and desirable. Some concerns focused on cost‐related barriers to access, anxiety related to testing, and interpretation of results. NIPT is often portrayed as offering peace of mind and is sometimes described as a means of preparing for possible outcomes. Conclusion In the discussions analyzed, NIPT is seen, overall, as valuable and greater access to it is desired. Some questions and concerns about NIPT were evident. Reddit stands as a valuable and appreciated tool for individuals wishing to discuss NIPT and to solicit and share information, opinions, and experiences. Health care providers should consider the ways social platforms such as Reddit can be engaged to better inform and educate the public.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discussing non‐invasive prenatal testing on Reddit: The benefits, the concerns, and the comradery

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Traditionally, people have obtained health information through pamphlets or health education from health professionals. Due to digital transformation, the rapid development of smartphones, and increasing accessibility to the Internet, nowadays most people access and search for health information through the Internet and by using different devices and apps (Chen, Li, Liang, & Tsai, 2018). Although people may easily obtain information about COVID‐19 from the Internet, a global epidemic of information has spread rapidly through online platforms and digital media.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Are People With Chronic Diseases Satisfied With the Online Health Information Related to COVID‐19 During the Pandemic?

Kor

Leung

Parial

et al. 2020

J of Nursing Scholarship

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeA deluge of fake news and misinformation about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) on the Internet poses challenges for the public in their search for reliable and relevant health information for taking protective measures, especially among people with chronic diseases (PWCD). This study aimed to (a) understand the satisfaction level of the online information related to COVID‐19 in people with and without chronic diseases; (b) explore information‐searching behavior and digital health literacy in PWCD; and (3) identify the possible predictors of information satisfaction among PWCD.MethodsThis was a multicity, cross‐sectional study using an online survey with a convenience sample of people who (a) were 15 years of age or older and (b) had access to the Internet in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.FindingsFour thousand four hundred and seventy‐two subjects completed the survey, of whom less than 50% felt satisfied with the online information. About 20% of respondents (n = 882) were diagnosed with at least one chronic disease and reported a lower level of information satisfaction (p = .003) than the people without chronic diseases. The majority of the PWCD obtained their online health information from social media. Higher digital health literacy (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 5.07), higher frequency of searches regarding symptoms of COVID‐19 (adjusted OR = 2.07), higher perceived importance of quickly learning from the information searched (adjusted OR = 1.63), and lower frequency of searches on the topic of dealing with psychological stress (adjusted OR = 0.54) were found to be predictors of information satisfaction among PWCD.ConclusionsThe majority of PWCD sought online information related to COVID‐19 from social media, and their level of information satisfaction was significantly lower than among people without chronic diseases. Digital health literacy is a strong and significant predictor of information satisfaction.Clinical RelevanceTo support PWCD, we not only have to provide them with clear and accurate information, but also promote their digital health literacy so that they may seek, understand, and appraise health information from the Internet to make appropriate health‐related judgments and decisions.

show abstract

“…Not only do the individuals have to take into consideration risks/benefits of the medication, cost, and drug interactions, but they must also balance the influence of family, spouse/partners, other individuals with CF, health care providers, and online sources. The internet has provided a forum for interaction for various disease communities, as well as a source of information about new treatment options 7,8 . Information from online sources is often used to supplement the information received from providers or other medical experts, 7 or used as a means of synthesizing information when faced with a difficult medical decision 8 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The internet has provided a forum for interaction for various disease communities, as well as a source of information about new treatment options 7,8 . Information from online sources is often used to supplement the information received from providers or other medical experts, 7 or used as a means of synthesizing information when faced with a difficult medical decision 8 . Adults 18 to 24 years old were more likely than any other age group to utilize social media in obtaining medical information 8 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of patients with cystic fibrosis and caregivers decisions regarding CFTR modulators

George

Smith

Sawicki

et al. 2020

Pediatric Pulmonology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators are a novel approach to CF management that has become more readily available chronic CF therapies for certain populations of patients with CF. A cross-sectional survey of adults with CF and caregivers of pediatric patients with CF was done in two CF Centers to better understand the decision-making process including the potential influence of social media, CF care-teams, and family members on their decision whether to begin a CFTR modulator. For the 90 participants, the most common influences in the decision to start modulator therapy were the CF providers/care teams (n = 63), parents (n = 49), and individuals with CF (n = 27). The most impactful influence in the decision-making process were providers/care team (n = 47) and parents (n = 18). Social media was an influence for only 12 respondents, with an overall positive impact. Information from the CF Foundation was an influence for 12 participants and the main influence for six participants. The most common reasons for stopping lumacaftor-ivacaftor were having tezacaftor-ivacaftor as an option (n = 25) and side-effects (n = 15). Family and CF clinicians were the two main influences on the decision to initiate modulator therapy. CF clinicians were seen to be the most influential source. Social media had less influence on the decision-making process than expected despite the wide presence of the CF community online.

show abstract

Health Information Obtained From the Internet and Changes in Medical Decision Making: Questionnaire Development and Cross-Sectional Survey

Cited by 27 publications

References 17 publications

Discussing non‐invasive prenatal testing on Reddit: The benefits, the concerns, and the comradery

Discussing non‐invasive prenatal testing on Reddit: The benefits, the concerns, and the comradery

Are People With Chronic Diseases Satisfied With the Online Health Information Related to COVID‐19 During the Pandemic?

Survey of patients with cystic fibrosis and caregivers decisions regarding CFTR modulators

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About