Searching for health information online: characteristics of online health seekers

Abstract

This study has shown that those with mental health problems use the internet to search for health information more often than those who have not experienced such problems. It has also shown that there is still a digital divide in terms of online health seeking, which is influenced by age, gender, education, and employment status. These findings highlight the need to address access, technological, psychological, and perceptual issues that may present barriers to the use of online health seeking.

mindyourmind: An Overview and Evaluation of a Web-Facilitated Mental Health Program that Applies Empowerment Strategies for Youth

“…Moreover, other research has found that individuals who are experiencing mental health issues are more likely to use the Internet to find mental health information (Berger et al 2005;Gallagher and Doherty 2009;Gould et al 2002) and that help-seekers with anxiety and depression were better able to navigate the health care system because of information learned from accessing the Internet (Berger et al 2005). Therefore, the results of the present study along with past research underscores the potential of the Internet to provide outreach for youth who may be reluctant to seek traditional forms of help.…”

E-Health Use in African American Internet Users: Can New Tools Address Old Disparities?

“…The actual impact of such systems on health outcomes and costs, however, requires further study. It is interesting that although our univariate analysis was consistent with other studies 9,36,37 in suggesting that women are more likely to seek health information online and conduct more interactive health activities than men, this gender effect was only significant in our search for health information online multivariate model. This aligns with previous research that found women to have a higher tendency to conduct e-health activities due to their role as the primary caregiver.…”

“…9 This study deepens that research to explore health and healthcare variables that may prompt African Americans, a population traditionally underserved by e-health solutions, to engage in various e-health activities. We chose to limit our analyses to African Americans who already use the Internet, at least occasionally, in order to focus specifically on predictors of e-health use rather than Internet use in general, which has already been studied in great detail.…”

“…Previous studies have found high Internet usage levels by those experiencing sickness or disability. 9 African Americans may be even more likely to use health information to treat illnesses instead of seeking care in the traditional healthcare system, because of disparities in health insurance, 29 access to care, 31 and perceived discrimination attributed to cultural and communication barriers. [32][33][34] Our results confirm this view and further suggest that African Americans who have personal experience or have family members with sickness or disability are not just passively searching for health information online but are proactively lending their voices and opinions to online discussions about health and health information.…”

Attitude of Staffs Towards the Information Technology Impact on Organizational Strategy of the Hospitals

“…As a main tool in strategic decision-making, medical management must be based on the use of information and communication technology in health centers, to provide strategic services, change the technology, and increase its use (7). Currently that the management systems spend their largest investments on IT and information systems, hospitals have no choice but to use IT as a strategic resource to achieve their objectives; in such a condition, the concept of aligning IT and business strategy will come true (8,9). Research in the field of strategic alignment indicates a positive and significant relationship among competitive strategies, IT, and organizational performance.…”