Habits and Behaviors of e-health Users: A Study on the Influence of the Interface in the Perception of Trust and Credibility

Abstract

Online health information and its exploitation in different digital contexts is increasing, creating new interaction experiences in which the perception of credibility and trust plays a fundamental role. In this processes, the Interface has a crucial function, mediating the interaction between users and information and, consequently, influencing health decision-making processes and supporting health promotion programs. However, more knowledge is needed to deeply understand this influence in order to comprehend how it works and how can it be improved. The study presented in this paper aims to contribute to this field, researching on the influence that the Interface can have in the perception of trust and credibility of e-health websites. Starting from a five-dimension interface framework that we have developed, and that goes behind the common visual perspective, we have collected data with an online survey and eye tracking sessions. These five dimensions (visual, information architecture, interaction, social presence and user experience) allowed us to reach a deeper understanding of our results, namely regarding the importance that the visual design, information architecture and user experience have on online health information habits and behaviors, particularly in what concerns searching, seeking, communicating and sharing health information.