Abstract T P273: Internet-Based Information Seeking Behavior for Transient Ischemic Attack

Abstract

Background &Purpose: In recent years, Internet became an increasingly important tool for accessing health information and is being used more frequently to promote public health. In this study, we used Google search data to explore information seeking behavior for transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods: We selected two groups of keywords related to TIA -“Transient Ischemic Attack” and “Mini Stroke” - after examining several related search keywords. We obtained all available online search data performed in the United States from the Google search engine for a ten year span - January 2004 to December 2013. The monthly and daily search data for the selected keywords were analyzed - using a moving window strategy - to explore the trends, peaks and declining effects. Results: There were three significant concurrent peaks in the Google search data for the selected keywords. Each peak was directly associated with media coverage and news headlines related to the incident of TIA in a public figure. (Figure 1) Following each event, it took an average of two weeks for the search trend to return to its respective average value. The trend was steady for “Transient Ischemic Attack”; however, the search interest for the keyword “mini stroke” shows a steady increase. The overall search interest for the selected keywords was significantly higher in the southeastern United States. Conclusions: Our study shows that changes in online search behavior can be associated with media coverage of key events (in our case TIA) in public figures. These findings suggest that online health promotion campaigns might be more effective if increased promptly after similar media coverage.