Title

Internet health information seeking is a team sport: analysis of the Pew Internet Survey

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine; Office of Community Programs; Department of Quantitative Health Sciences

Publication Date

3-2013

Document Type

Article

Subjects

Information Services; Internet; Sports

Disciplines

Health Communication | Health Information Technology | Health Services Research | Public Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies examining characteristics of Internet health information seekers do not distinguish between those who only seek for themselves, and surrogate seekers who look for health information for family or friends. Identifying the unique characteristics of surrogate seekers would help in developing Internet interventions that better support these information seekers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess differences between self seekers versus those that act also as surrogate seekers.

METHODS: We analyzed data from the cross-sectional Pew Internet and American Life Project November/December 2008 health survey. Our dependent variable was self-report of type of health information seeking (surrogate versus self seeking). Independent variables included demographics, health status, and caregiving. After bivariate comparisons, we then developed multivariable models using logistic regression to assess characteristics associated with surrogate seeking.

RESULTS: Out of 1250 respondents who reported seeking health information online, 56% (N=705) reported being surrogate seekers. In multivariable models, compared with those who sought information for themselves only, surrogate seekers were more likely both married and a parent (OR=1.57, CI=1.08, 2.28), having good (OR=2.05, CI=1.34, 3.12) or excellent (OR=2.72, CI=1.70, 4.33) health status, being caregiver of an adult relative (OR=1.76, CI=1.34, 2.30), having someone close with a serious medical condition (OR=1.62, CI=1.21, 2.17) and having someone close to them facing a chronic illness (OR=1.55, CI=1.17, 2.04).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide evidence that information needs of surrogate seekers are not being met, specifically of caregivers. Additional research is needed to develop new functions that support surrogate seekers.

Keywords

UMCCTS funding

DOI of Published Version

10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2012.09.008

Source

Int J Med Inform. 2013 Mar;82(3):193-200. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2012.09.008. Link to article on publisher's site

Journal/Book/Conference Title

International journal of medical informatics

PubMed ID

23149121

Related Resources

Link to Article in PubMed

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