Consumer health information seeking in social media: a literature review

Objective

The objective of this literature review was to summarise current research regarding how consumers seek health‐related information from social media. Primarily, we hope to reveal characteristics of existing studies investigating the health topics that consumers have discussed in social media, ascertaining the roles social media have played in consumers’ information‐seeking processes and discussing the potential benefits and concerns of accessing consumer health information in social media.

Methods

The Web of Science Core Collection database was searched for existing literature on consumer health information seeking in social media. The search returned 214 articles, of which 21 met the eligibility criteria following review of full‐text documents.

Conclusion

Between 2011 and 2016, twenty‐one studies published explored various topics related to consumer information seeking in social media. These ranged from online discussions on specific diseases (e.g. diabetes) to public health concerns (e.g. pesticide residues). Consumers’ information needs vary depending on the health issues of interest. Benefits of health seeking on social media, in addition to filling a need for health information, include the social and emotional support health consumers gain from peer‐to‐peer interactions. These benefits, however, are tempered by concerns of information quality and authority and lead to decreased consumer engagement.     

Health information seeking in the information society

This article is the second student contribution to the Dissertations into Practice feature. It reports on a study that investigated the everyday health information-seeking practices of a small group of the 'general public' and the implications for information-seeking theory and health information provision. The first student article, about the implementation of radio frequency identification (RFID) in a hospital library, was very different, and the two articles illustrate the broad spectrum of possible subjects for the Dissertations into Practice feature. This study was conducted in summer 2011 by Abir Mukherjee for his MSc dissertation in the Library and Information Sciences programme at City University London. Further information and copies of the full dissertation may be obtained from Abir Mukherjee or David Bawden. AM.     

Can your public library improve your health and well‐being? An investigation of East Sussex Library and Information Service

This article is only the second in the Dissertations into Practice series to highlight the role of public libraries in health information. It is the result of an investigation into the provision of health information in East Sussex Library and Information Service, which formed the basis of Anneliese Ingham's dissertation for her MA in Information Studies at the University of Brighton. At the time Anneliese was doing her research, the service was experimenting with different ways of providing healthcare information at one of its main libraries, and they were interested in the impact of this. The provision of health information to the public is one of my own research interests, and I was Anneliese's dissertation supervisor. I thought she produced a very good piece of work, and the results she highlights in this article are applicable to all public library authorities. Anneliese graduated with an MA in 2012 and worked for East Sussex Library and Information Service, which she joined whilst she was still studying. AM     

Health information,what happens when there isn't any? Information literacy and the challenges for rare and orphan diseases

This feature looks at the challenges for information literacy in rare and orphan diseases. In particular, it focuses on the information difficulties faced by those living with a rare condition or awaiting a diagnosis, and also those of the health professionals in charge of their care. The feature also highlights some of the key issues that library and information professionals need to be aware of when providing information support in such circumstances. H.S.     

Meeting the challenges of clinical information provision

This virtual issue of the Health Information and Libraries Journal (HILJ) has been compiled to mark the 5th International Clinical Librarian Conference 2011. In considering the challenges of clinical information provision, the content selected for the virtual issue offers an international flavour of clinical information provision and covers a variety of different facets of clinical librarianship. The issue broadly covers the areas of information needs and preferences, clinical librarian roles and services, and education and training, and reflects the way in which a normal issue of the HILJ would be presented. This includes a review article, a collection of original articles, and the three regular features which comprise International Perspectives and Initiatives, Learning and Teaching in Action, and Using Evidence in Practice. All papers included in this virtual issue are available free online.     

跨理论模型的发展和有关信息行为研究的述评

[目的/意义] 跨理论模型(TTM)广泛应用于健康行为改变研究中,回顾跨理论模型的发展沿革以及相关的人类信息行为研究,以期更好地认识信息行为在健康行为促进中的关联和影响机制。[方法/过程] 采用文献分析法回顾跨理论模型的发展历程,着重探究其中与人类信息行为相关的内容,以及二者结合的实证研究,初步总结了健康行为改变过程中各阶段涉及的信息类型和信息行为。[结果/结论] 对跨理论模型和人类信息行为进行较为系统的梳理,为今后探究不同改变阶段中信息类型、信息行为的作用机制提供一定的参考,助力实证研究和策略制定。     

Caregivers of children feel confident about using the Internet for health information

Background

Caregivers of children may rely on internet sources, health care providers, peers or family for health information.

Objective

To examine the impact of sociodemographic factors on the use of the internet for health information by caregivers of children, and the impact on self-efficacy, effort and frustration.

Methods

Using data from the 2019 Health Information National Trends Survey, the effects of information source on self-efficacy, effort and frustration was examined using the complex samples module of SPSS.

Results

The internet was the most common source of health information for caregivers of children (n = 247), with high confidence, low frustration and effort reported. Younger, higher educated and higher income caregivers were significantly more likely to use the internet for health information. Information from Health Care Providers (HCPs) was associated with greater confidence, and information from peers associated with lesser effort and frustration. No significant effects on self-efficacy, effort or frustration for online health information was noted compared to other sources.

Conclusions

Efforts to reduce barriers to online health information may be required for some groups of caregivers, and health care providers may have a role to play in this.     

Human information behaviour and physiological measurements as a basis to tailor health information. An explorative study in a physical activity intervention among prediabetic individuals in Northern Finland

Objective: To explore through an interdisciplinary approach the potential to tailor health information on the basis of human information behaviour (HIB) on par with the results of basic physiological measurements of individuals’ health. Methods: The data were collected at the baseline of a physical activity and diabetes prevention intervention with 72 prediabetic participants, conducted in Oulu, Finland, by the University of Oulu and Oulu Deaconess Institute in 2010. Body mass index (BMI), fitness classifications and glucose values were obtained from all prediabetic participants. The interest in, the search for and the use of information on nutrition, physical activity and diabetes were examined through a self‐report questionnaire with a response rate of 95.8%. The data were analysed with the SPSS statistics 18 software. Results and conclusions: The study shows that information behaviour of prediabetic individuals differs according to their BMI and fitness level. Poor physical fitness classifications and high BMI values were associated with an increased desire to receive tailored information on nutrition and physical activity frequently. These results add knowledge on the types and preferred frequencies of tailored information. Because of the small sample size, the results should be validated further.     

在线健康社区老年用户健康信息需求实证研究

[目的/意义] 目前老年用户在使用健康信息的过程中得不到满足，且有关老年用户健康信息需求的研究尚有待加强。探索老年用户健康信息需求的内容和模型并寻求相关解决途径，可丰富老年用户健康信息需求的理论研究成果，并在实践中指导老龄化社会智慧养老以及在线医疗平台服务等议题。[方法/过程] 本研究依托在线健康社区，利用先定性后定量的混合型方法开展探索性研究，首先通过访谈老年用户获取了37个健康信息需求的自由节点，继而通过问卷调研并利用因子分析方法提取了使用操作、信息搜寻、隐私与安全、诊疗行为、交互与反馈、自我实现6大类健康信息需求的树节点并进一步归纳为物理、认知和情感3类主范畴。[结果/结论] 最终构建了老年用户健康信息需求模型，并结合马斯洛需求层次理论解释老年用户健康信息需求模型的内涵并提出相应的对策和建议。