Ways public health users interact with online health information: a qualitative study

Fernandes, LG; Mescouto, KA; Costa, LOP; Saragiotto, BT

Ways public health users interact with online health information: a qualitative study

Fernandes, LG Mescouto, KA Costa, LOP Saragiotto, BT

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Publisher:: Springer Nature
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Health and Technology, pp. 1-9

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Fernandes, LG
dc.contributor.author	Mescouto, KA
dc.contributor.author	Costa, LOP
dc.contributor.author	Saragiotto, BT
dc.date.accessioned	2023-11-06T21:55:28Z
dc.date.available	2023-11-06T21:55:28Z
dc.identifier.citation	Health and Technology, pp. 1-9
dc.identifier.issn	2190-7188
dc.identifier.issn	2190-7196
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173079
dc.description.abstract	<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec> <jats:title>Purpose</jats:title> <jats:p>The use of internet for health-related purposes has increased in the past years; however, the overabundance of information led the world to a health “infodemic”. Little is known about the ways public health users seek health information online and how it influences the relationship between patients and healthcare practitioners. We aimed to investigate how public health users seek health information online and how this practice affects health encounters.</jats:p> </jats:sec><jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>We conducted a qualitative study in a public secondary level healthcare facility. Thirty participants were interviewed using a semi-structured grid designed upon the definition of digital health literacy. Participants were mostly women with an average age of 50 years old and educational level equal to or lower than high school degree. Traditionally and digitally illiterate participants participated in the study. Data analysis was performed using a reflexive thematic analysis underpinned by critical theory.</jats:p> </jats:sec><jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>We identified three interrelated themes: (1) failing to be a digitally engaged patient, (2) health information on the internet resonates better with individuals’ literacy, and (3) vulnerability is welcomed on the internet. Themes explored power dynamics that appeared to be mediated by formal knowledge, sociocultural contexts, use of technical language, and the presence of emotional and affective domains.</jats:p> </jats:sec><jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title> <jats:p>Our findings suggest that health information online might facilitate the understanding of technical terms and fill an emotional gap often overlooked by healthcare practitioners. Findings may assist health professionals in developing ways of considering health information online as part of the health encounter.</jats:p> </jats:sec>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Springer Nature
dc.relation.ispartof	Health and Technology
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s12553-023-00784-w
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	08 Information and Computing Sciences, 11 Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.classification	4202 Epidemiology
dc.subject.classification	4203 Health services and systems
dc.title	Ways public health users interact with online health information: a qualitative study
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.for	08 Information and Computing Sciences
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-11-06T21:55:26Z
pubs.publication-status	Published online

Abstract:

Abstract Purpose The use of internet for health-related purposes has increased in the past years; however, the overabundance of information led the world to a health “infodemic”. Little is known about the ways public health users seek health information online and how it influences the relationship between patients and healthcare practitioners. We aimed to investigate how public health users seek health information online and how this practice affects health encounters. Methods We conducted a qualitative study in a public secondary level healthcare facility. Thirty participants were interviewed using a semi-structured grid designed upon the definition of digital health literacy. Participants were mostly women with an average age of 50 years old and educational level equal to or lower than high school degree. Traditionally and digitally illiterate participants participated in the study. Data analysis was performed using a reflexive thematic analysis underpinned by critical theory. Results We identified three interrelated themes: (1) failing to be a digitally engaged patient, (2) health information on the internet resonates better with individuals’ literacy, and (3) vulnerability is welcomed on the internet. Themes explored power dynamics that appeared to be mediated by formal knowledge, sociocultural contexts, use of technical language, and the presence of emotional and affective domains. Conclusion Our findings suggest that health information online might facilitate the understanding of technical terms and fill an emotional gap often overlooked by healthcare practitioners. Findings may assist health professionals in developing ways of considering health information online as part of the health encounter.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173079