Health Information–Seeking Behavior of Seniors Who Use the Internet: A Survey

Abstract

BackgroundThe Internet is viewed as an important source for health information and a medium for patient empowerment. However, little is known about how seniors use the Internet in relation to other sources for health information.ObjectiveThe aim was to determine which information resources seniors who use the Internet use and trust for health information, which sources are preferred, and which sources are used by seniors for different information needs.MethodsQuestions from published surveys were selected based on their relevance to the study objectives. The Autonomy Preference Index was used to assess information needs and preferences for involvement in health decisions. Invitation to participate in this online survey was sent to the email list of a local senior organization (298 addresses) in the Netherlands.ResultsThere were 118 respondents with a median age of 72 years (IQR 67-78 years). Health professionals, pharmacists, and the Internet were the most commonly used and trusted sources of health information. Leaflets, television, newspapers, and health magazines were also important sources. Respondents who reported higher use of the Internet also reported higher use of other sources (P<.001). Use of health professionals, pharmacists, leaflets, telephone, television, and radio were not significantly different; use of all other resources was significantly higher in frequent Internet users. When in need of health information, preferred sources were the Internet (46/105, 43.8%), other sources (eg, magazines 38/105, 36.2%), health professionals (18/105, 17.1%), and no information seeking (3/105, 2.8%). Of the 51/107 respondents who indicated that they had sought health information in the last 12 months, 43 sought it after an appointment, 23 were preparing for an appointment, and 20 were deciding if an appointment was needed. The source used varied by the type of information sought. The Internet was used most often for symptoms (27/42, 64%), prognosis (21/31, 68%), and treatment options (23/41, 62%), whereas health professionals were asked for additional information on medications (20/36, 56%), side effects (17/36, 47%), coping (17/31, 55%), practical care (12/14, 86%), and nutrition/exercise (18/30, 60%).ConclusionsFor these seniors who use the Internet, the Internet was a preferred source of health information. Seniors who report higher use of the Internet also report higher use of other information resources and were also the primary consumers of paper-based resources. Respondents most frequently searched for health information after an appointment rather than to prepare for an appointment. Resources used varied by health topic. Future research should seek to confirm these findings in a general elderly population, investigate how seniors seek and understand information on the Internet, and investigate how to reach seniors who prefer not to use the Internet for health information.

Health information seeking behaviour: a concept analysis

“…Campbell (2009) studied the effect of an educational intervention on seniors in order to empower them to seek information online for directing their own care. In agreement with the findings related to the context above, much of the research that fits within this area also focuses either on online seeking or considers Internet use as a primary means by which to better inform the individual in preparation of decision making (Campbell, 2009;Deng & Liu, 2017;Ellis et al, 2012;Medlock et al, 2015;Roettl et al, 2016).…”

“…Social networks (Wonsun et al, 2015) and families (Noh et al, 2016) were found to positively impact HISB and willingness to undergo treatment (Roettl et al, 2016). Other external contextual factors that affect HISB may be the result of participation in information seeking training (Campbell, 2009), immigration status (N€ olke et al, 2015), language and cultural norms (Todd & Hoffman-Goetz, 2011) or simply an upcoming doctor's appointment (Medlock et al, 2015). The actual information being found can, itself, influence further information seeking.…”

Life-span differences in the uses and gratifications of tablets: Implications for older adults

“…Thus, having internet access as well as differential perceptions in usefulness might be considered potential motives for adopting new technologies. This consideration is especially important in the context of health, as several studies purport the benefits of health information seeking, especially for older adults (e.g., Medlock et al, 2013, 2015). …”

Effect of eHealth cardiac rehabilitation on health outcomes of coronary heart disease patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Indeed, approximately 55.1% of the world's total population are Internet users (Internet World Stats, 2018). Increasing participatory Internet use as an important health information source and patient empowerment medium for health decision-making and behaviours has been reported among older adults (Medlock et al, 2015). As such, there is increased advocacy to integrate the eHealth platform to deliver the care components of CR in a way that can best address the more individualized healthcare needs of cardiac patients to generate more health benefits (Paige, Krieger, Stellefson, & Alber, 2017).…”