Internet use by international graduate students in the USA seeking health information

Abstract

Purpose – Considering that the internet is a useful source for health information, especially by foreign-born students, this exploratory study aimed to investigate international graduate students' internet use in the context of seeking health information. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 54 Korean graduate students in the USA using a survey questionnaire. Quantitative analysis using SPSS was conducted to describe Korean graduate students' internet use for seeking health information and to identify factors that possibly influence their health-information seeking activities. Findings – The survey participants preferred Korean resources because of language problems and the internet was the primary source. They reported difficulties in identifying appropriate health information sources and understanding medical information. They often sought online health information to solve their or their family's current health problems and consequently, personal relevance was regarded as an important evaluation criterion, as was accuracy. Research limitations/implications – By looking at an understudied user group, this study leads to a better understanding of the patterns of internet use for seeking health information among a specific ethnic group. The findings of this study demonstrate the needs of health education materials and guidelines that introduce credible health information sources and medical information for Korean graduate students and their families. Originality/value – Despite the increasing number of international students in the USA, there is a lack of research on the health information-seeking behavior of international students. The findings of this study will help health education specialists and health information professionals provide international students with necessary health information.

Role of social media in information-seeking behaviour of international students

“…In facilitating education advocacy, showed that students (graduates and undergraduates) seek information from different social media platforms in the academic context. For instance, Facebook and Renren (the Chinese version of Facebook) play an important role in the adjustment and educational adoption of international students in seeking academic and health information from the social media (Oh et al, 2013;Yoon and Kim, 2014). The role of social media in the education advocacy is further shown in a research by Shahraniza et al (2014) who found that adjustment problems have an effect on the academic performance of international students.…”

“…Furthermore, medical treatment for international students is another issue. For them, medical treatment is very expensive as non-citizens rarely benefit from the medical incentives given to the local population, thus leading international students to seek health-related information from the internet or social media (Yoon and Kim, 2014).…”

Students’ Trust Formation and Credibility Judgements in Online Health Information – A Review Article

“…H. Lim & Kim, 2012;McKinley & Ruppel, 2014;Mou & Cohen, 2014;Neal et al, 2011;Nustad et al, 2008;Oh & Kim, 2014;Payton et al, 2014;Percheski & Hargittai, 2011;Rowley et al, 2015;Scott et al, 2008;Selkie et al, 2011;Senkowski & Branscum, 2015;Skinner et al, 2003;Smart et al, 2012;Tsan & Day, 2007;Van Velsen et al, 2012 Credibility and reliability of information (content or message), information sources, information providers or websites. Bansal & Gefen, 2010;Batten & Dutton, 2011;Catellier & Yang, 2012;Cho et al, 2015;Dutta-Bergman, 2004;Eastin, 2001;Escoffery et al, 2005;Freeman & Spyridakis, 2004;Gray et al, 2005;Hansen et al, 2003;Henderson et al, 2009;Horgan & Sweeney, 2010;Hu & Sundar, 2010;Johnson et al, 2015;Longman et al, 2012;Oh & Kim, 2014;Pariera, 2012;Rains & Karmikel, 2009;Rowley et al, 2015;Worthington et al, 2015;Yoon & Kim, 2014 Feelings, perceptions, and attitudes towards online health information. Borzekowski et al, 2006;…”

Cultural Patterns of Information Source Use: A Global Study of 47 Countries

“…For example, demographic, psychological, socio‐cultural, and source‐, system‐ and content‐related aspects have been found to explain individuals' information seeking and use in a number of quantitative investigations (e.g., Al‐Samarraie, Eldenfria, & Dawoud, ; Khosrowjerdi & Sundqvist, ; Niu & Hemminger, ; Rowley, Johnson, & Sbaffi, ; Zimmer & Henry, ). Several studies bring forth culture as an antecedent of information related activities (Catellier & Yang, ; Jemielniak & Wilamowski, ; Neumark, Lopez‐Quintero, Feldman, Hirsch Allen, & Shtarkshall, ; Oh & Kim, ; Yoon & Kim, ). An overarching definition depicts culture as “the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution … a racial, religious, or social group” (Merriam‐Webster Dictionary, ).…”