Access To Health Information Research Articles

'People Like Us Would Have No Clue If the Information Is Online': Exploring Understanding and Sources of Hepatitis B Information Among Vietnamese Australians.

Socio-cultural and behavioural factors are often not adequately considered in designing health promotion programs for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia. Given that people of Vietnamese background are disproportionately impacted by hepatitis B, the aim of this research was to better understand these factors to inform hepatitis B health promotion messages for the Vietnamese community. Twenty participants (four living with hepatitis B) were interviewed by a Vietnamese-speaking researcher. The interview sessions explored beliefs about health, the body and liver; knowledge and attitudes about hepatitis B vaccines, testing, clinical management and stigma; and sources of health information and value given to information on social media. Participants had a range of understandings of health and hepatitis B which informed their responses to health education and intervention. Participants appeared to have limited knowledge and misconceptions about transmission, prevention, treatment, and management of hepatitis B. Stigma surrounding hepatitis B was apparent, with over half the participants reporting that they distanced themselves from people living with hepatitis B. Participants preferred online information resources for younger people and traditional media in the Vietnamese language for older people. By understanding what Vietnamese people know about hepatitis B and how they access health information, these findings can be used to inform health promotion campaigns using print, media, and radio to ensure wide reach. Knowledge of community specific information is key to reducing the burden of hepatitis B among culturally and linguistically diverse communities and ensuring they are able to access healthcare services for testing, monitoring, and care.

Health literacy and mental health: a national cross-sectional inquiry

Health literacy and mental health are among the most important issues in the modern health and era of public health. This study aimed to investigate the association between health literacy and mental health status. This was a national cross-sectional study that was conducted in Iran. A sample of literate individuals aged 18–65 was entered into the study using multistage sampling. The data were collected by the Health Literacy Instrument for Adults (HELIA) and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Logistic regression and path analysis were used for data analysis. A total of 20,571 individuals completed the questionnaires. The mean(± SD) age of participants was 34.9(± 11.8) years old, 51% were female, and 38.1% had higher education. The mean(± SD) health literacy score was 68.3(± 15.2), and 29.8% of the respondents reported some mental health problems. Logistic regression analysis showed that limited health literacy was associated with poor mental health status (OR 2.560, 95% CI 2.396–2.735, P = 0.001). The path analysis showed that an increase in health literacy could reduce psychological and social dysfunction (the effect of health literacy on reducing psychological distress is more profound). It is recommended to carry out interventions that strengthen adult’s cognitive and communication skills to improve their ability to access and use health information to make healthy choices.

Community health information needs assessment in the mid-south region of the United States indicates new roles for public libraries.

Libraries provide public access to information that may be used to inform healthcare decisions. Exploring the health information needs of library-users could improve community health outcomes, especially during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to identify the health information needs of library-users to explore the potential role of libraries in advancing community health. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey was employed. One hundred and fifty participants in the (Memphis) Tennessee metropolitan area, ranging from 18 to 84 years of age, completed the survey between September 2020 and April 2021. Most respondents reported seeking physical and mental health-related information from libraries. In addition, nearly half of respondents reported delaying medical care due to risk of exposure to COVID-19, cost or appointment issues. Study results indicated that there were urgent health information needs among library-users in this community, that COVID-19 further limited or delayed access to information, and that library-users accessed health information during library visits. Public libraries have the potential to serve as information hubs to improve community health outcomes. Additional research should be conducted to collect qualitative community health information needs and the ways in which public library systems can address them.

Qualitative Assessment of Vulvovaginal Health Information on Social Media

(Abstracted from J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2024;37:33–38) Recent years have given way to an exponential rise in social media platforms as major hubs for dissemination and access of health information. This increase has occurred most dramatically in the social media usage of adolescents and young adults (AYAs), with more than 84% of adults aged 18–29 years and 95% of adolescents aged 13–17 years using at least one social media platform in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Improving the Visibility and Accessibility of Physical Health Information in a Forensic Medium-Secure Inpatient Unit

Improving the Visibility and Accessibility of Physical Health Information in a Forensic Medium-Secure Inpatient Unit

Understanding perspective on community health literacy for promoting the health of older adults with hypertension: a qualitative descriptive study

Introduction: This study aimed to understand the community people’s experience of access, understanding, evaluation, and application of health information for self-care of hypertensive older adults, and explore the community's perspective on promoting community health literacy (CHL) on caring for hypertensive older adults. Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study. Data were collected through focus groups and in-depth interviews in one sub-district municipality in Mahasarakham, Thailand. A total of 37 participants from older adults with hypertension, families of older adults with hypertension, and community committees were recruited based on inclusion criteria using purposive sampling. Data were then analyzed using a five-step thematic analysis. Results: Four main themes of community people’s experience emerged 1) access to health information limited by the healthcare personnel at the primary care unit (PCU), 2) understanding the health information because it is clear and familiar, and can ask the medical personnel directly, 3) do not evaluate the health information received from healthcare personnel because they trust them, and 4) applied health information to practice only taking medicine and doctor’s appointments. Three main themes to promote CHL are 1) usual healthcare activities, 2) community action, and 3) nurses at PCU, village health volunteers, and community committees should be involved in playing a key role in promoting CHL. Conclusions: Cooperation with community leaders is important to promote CHL by using active learning education and creating a supportive environment focusing on encouraging older adults to perform self-care to control their health conditions.

Using Google web search to analyze and evaluate the application of ChatGPT in femoroacetabular impingement syndrome.

Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) is a new machine learning tool that allows patients to access health information online, specifically compared to Google, the most commonly used search engine in the United States. Patients can use ChatGPT to better understand medical issues. This study compared the two search engines based on: (i) frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome (FAI), (ii) the corresponding answers to these FAQs, and (iii) the most FAQs yielding a numerical response. To assess the suitability of ChatGPT as an online health information resource for patients by replicating their internet searches. Cross-sectional study. The same keywords were used to search the 10 most common questions about FAI on both Google and ChatGPT. The responses from both search engines were recorded and analyzed. Of the 20 questions, 8 (40%) were similar. Among the 10 questions searched on Google, 7 were provided by a medical practice. For numerical questions, there was a notable difference in answers between Google and ChatGPT for 3 out of the top 5 most common questions (60%). Expert evaluation indicated that 67.5% of experts were satisfied or highly satisfied with the accuracy of ChatGPT's descriptions of both conservative and surgical treatment options for FAI. Additionally, 62.5% of experts were satisfied or highly satisfied with the safety of the information provided. Regarding the etiology of FAI, including cam and pincer impingements, 52.5% of experts expressed satisfaction or high satisfaction with ChatGPT's explanations. Overall, 62.5% of experts affirmed that ChatGPT could serve effectively as a reliable medical resource for initial information retrieval. This study confirms that ChatGPT, despite being a new tool, shows significant potential as a supplementary resource for health information on FAI. Expert evaluations commend its capacity to provide accurate and comprehensive responses, valued by medical professionals for relevance and safety. Nonetheless, continuous improvements in its medical content's depth and precision are recommended for ongoing reliability. While ChatGPT offers a promising alternative to traditional search engines, meticulous validation is imperative before it can be fully embraced as a trusted medical resource.

Current status of electronic health literacy among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their perceptions of online health information: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundWomen diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus often rely on internet-based health information for managing their condition. This study aims to investigate the present state of electronic health literacy among women with gestational diabetes mellitus, analyze the influencing factors, and explore their experiences regarding accessing, comprehending, evaluating, and applying online health information pertinent to gestational diabetes mellitus.MethodsA sequential explanatory mixed methods research design was adopted in this study. Initially, 235 women with gestational diabetes mellitus participated in a cross-sectional survey. The research tools included general information and the Chinese version of the electronic Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS). Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe the characteristics of the sample, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore the factors influencing electronic health literacy among women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Secondly, 11 women with gestational diabetes mellitus joined semi-structured in-depth interviews to obtain their perceptions about online health information. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis to develop themes.ResultsThe median score of eHEALS in the Chinese version among 235 women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus was 29 (interquartile range [IQR], 26 to 32). Factors influencing electronic health literacy among these women included accessing health information from medical professionals (β = 0.137, p = 0.029) and utilizing health information from applications (β = 0.159, p = 0.013). From the qualitative phase of the study, four thematic categories emerged: reasons and basis for accessing health information from the Internet; address barriers to accessing and applying online health information; desires for a higher level of online health information services; outcomes of accessing and applying online health information.ConclusionThe electronic health literacy of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus remains suboptimal and warrants improvement. The sources of access to health information affect electronic health literacy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Moreover, women facing gestational diabetes encounter numerous impediments when attempting to access health-related information online, underscoring the necessity for enhanced online health information services to meet their needs.

Family Participation in The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness Implementation Process: Systematic Literature Review

This study aims to analyze the role and contribution of families in the implementation of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) and the impact of family participation on child health outcomes. In addition, this study also identified factors that support or hinder family participation in the IMCI program. The method used was a systematic literature review of various published studies. The method used is a systematic literature review with the main data source of 15 previous studies on the theme to be examined in this study so that the data makes a new finding. The main findings of this study show that family education, social and community support, health policies, and family experiences and perceptions of IMCI are important themes that influence the successful implementation of IMCI. Effective education of families improves their understanding and skills in managing childhood illnesses, while support from health workers and the community can increase family participation in IMCI programs. Supportive health policies and appropriate interventions also play an important role in ensuring the program's effectiveness. However, lack of motivation and adequate information from health workers can be barriers to family participation. This study confirms the importance of active family participation in IMCI implementation to improve child health outcomes. Recommendations for further research include evaluation of the most effective educational methods, the influence of technology in supporting IMCI, and longitudinal studies to monitor the long-term impact of family participation. From a health policy perspective, improved training for health workers, strengthened social and community support networks, and improved accessibility of health information through various media are suggested to support better implementation of IMCI programs.

Content quality and reliability of the YouTube videos about chronic prostatitis.

YouTube is one of the most used social media platforms for accessing health information. To evaluate the quality and reliability of YouTube videos about chronic prostatitis. YouTube search using the keywords "kronik prostatit" for Turkish videos and 'chronic prostatitis' for English videos were done. The videos were evaluated through modified-Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN), the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the Global Quality Scale (GQS), and Video Power Index (VPI) scoring systems. The characters of the videos were also recorded and analyzed. Of the 65 Turkish videos, videos of health professions (HPv) were uploaded 58 and seven videos of non-professional in health (NPv). There were no significant differences between the views, like counts, VPI, or the content quality and reliability of HPv and NPv. Of the 62 English videos, videos of HP were uploaded 40 and 22 videos of non-professional in health. Although HPv were found to have greater DISCERN and JAMA values, Lv had more views, view ratio, and Video Power Index than HPv. When all 127 videos were evaluated regardless of the language, NPv were found to have more total views and ratings, but there were no significant differences between like ratio, VPI, DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS values between the two groups. Most YouTube videos about chronic prostatitis did not have enough quality and reliable information. Health associations should be more attentive to posting more content videos of sufficient quality and reliability on social media platforms.

Exploring the relationship between e-health literacy and online health information-seeking behaviour among pharmacy students in Indonesia

Background: Digital transformation has changed the health service system and how people search for health information. Digital health literacy provides basic knowledge that the prospective pharmacy workforce must have to provide comprehensive pharmacy service. Objective: This study aims to explore pharmacy students' eHealth literacy level and relate to their behaviour in accessing health information online. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 314 pharmacy students at two pharmacy diploma schools in Jakarta and Bandung, Indonesia. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to identify online health information-seeking behaviour and e-health literacy scores. Results: Out of 314 students, most were women (86.3%) and sophomores (43.3%). More than half have health applications installed on their smartphone and access health information online more than twice a week. There was a significant relationship between e-health literacy scores and student entry year (p = 0.000), the frequency of online health information-seeking practice (p = 0.001), and installed health apps on smartphones (p = 0.002). Conclusion: A future altered curriculum and the appropriate study materials on digital health must be implemented to equip pharmacy students with adequate skills before graduation.

Developing a Tool for Assessing the Process of Seeking Health Information: Online Think-Aloud Method.

Nursing students can access massive amounts of online health data to drive cutting-edge evidence-based practice in clinical placement, to bridge the theory-practice gap. This activity requires investigation to identify the strategies nursing students apply to evaluate online health information. Online Think-Aloud sessions enabled 14 participants to express their cognitive processes in navigating various educational resources, including online journals and databases, and determining the reliability of sources, indicating their strategies for information-seeking, which helped to create this scoring system. Easy access and user convenience were clearly the instrumental factors in this behavior, which has troubling implications for the lack of use of higher-quality resources (e.g., from peer-reviewed academic journals). The identified challenges encountered during resource access included limited skills in the critical evaluation of information credibility and reliability, signaling a requirement for improved information literacy skills. Participants acknowledged the importance of evidence-based, high-quality information, but faced numerous barriers, such as restricted access to professional and specialty databases, and a lack of academic skills training. This paper develops and critiques a Performative Tool for assessing the process of seeking health information using an online Think-Aloud method, and explores factors and strategies contributing to evidence-based health information access and utilization in clinical practice, aiming to provide insight into individuals' information-seeking behaviors in online health contexts.

Laboratory Considerations for Releasing Next-Generation Sequencing Data to Patients.

Title 45, section 164.524 of the Code of Federal Regulations states that health care systems must provide patient health records upon that patient's request. For complex testing, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), this raises questions related to what data should be released and the laboratory considerations regarding the release of this data. To describe the laboratory implications of releasing different NGS data files and the limitations for the clinical use of different NGS data files. The College of American Pathologists workgroup, composed of laboratorians with expertise regarding NGS testing, reviewed pertinent literature, including title 45, section 164.524, and the Health and Human Services "Guidance on Individuals' Right to Access Health Information." From an accreditation standpoint, validation of NGS includes both the wet bench and data processing (bioinformatics) portions, and appropriately validated laboratory testing is required to ensure quality patient results. NGS testing generates intermediate data files that have not completed the fully validated process but are often kept by the laboratory. These files may be requested by patients, but most patients will not be aware of the test validation process and the limitations of data that have not gone through a fully validated process. Laboratories should encourage patients to receive their health data and to help individuals understand the content, uses, and limitations of laboratory data they have requested or received. NGS data used in a nonvalidated manner should not be used for clinical purposes without confirmation by a clinically validated method.

Mixed messages? Exposure to reports about alcohol’s suggested cardiovascular effects and hazardous alcohol use: a cross-sectional study of patients in cardiology care

BackgroundHazardous alcohol use is a leading risk factor for disability and death, yet observational studies have also reported reduced cardiovascular disease mortality among regular, low-level drinkers. Such findings are refuted by more recent research, yet have received significant media coverage. We aimed to explore: (1) how patients with cardiovascular diseases access health information about moderate drinking and cardiovascular health; (2) the perceived messages these sources convey, and (3) associations with own level of alcohol use.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of patients in cardiology services at three hospitals in Sweden. The study outcome was hazardous alcohol use, assessed using the AUDIT-C questionnaire and defined as ≥ 3 in women and ≥ 4 in men. The exposure was accessing information sources suggesting that moderate alcohol consumption can be good for the heart, as opposed to accessing information that alcohol is bad for the heart. Health information sources were described using descriptive statistics. Gender, age and education were adjusted for in multiple logistic regression analyses.ResultsA total of 330 (66.3%) of 498 patients (mean age 70.5 years, 65% males) who had heard that drinking moderately can affect the heart described being exposed to reports that moderate alcohol use can be good for the heart, and 108 (21.7%) met criteria for hazardous alcohol use. Health information sources included newspapers (32.9%), television (29.2%), healthcare staff (13.4%), friends/family (11.8%), social media (8.9%) and websites (3.7%). Participants indicated that most reports (77.9%) conveyed mixed messages about the cardiovascular effects of moderate drinking. Exposure to reports of healthy heart effects, or mixed messages about the cardiovascular effects of alcohol, was associated with increased odds of hazardous alcohol use (OR = 1.67, 95%CI = 1.02–2.74).ConclusionsThis study suggests that many patients in cardiology care access health information about alcohol from media sources, which convey mixed messages about the cardiovascular effects of alcohol. Exposure to reports that moderate drinking has protective cardiovascular effects, or mixed messages about the cardiovascular effects of alcohol, was associated with increased odds of hazardous alcohol use. Findings highlight a need for clear and consistent messages about the health effects of alcohol.

Information Seeking and Receiving of Older Adults with Diabetes in the Online Health Community: An Information Need Contextualization Perspective

ABSTRACT Online health communities (OHCs) are important online health communication channels for older adults with diabetes to access health information. When seeking health information, they often disclose a variety of contextual information (e.g., socio-economic situations) in their questions. Selective contextual information disclosure is a type of communication strategy for users in OHCs to elicit replies from others. In this study, we adopted text analysis to investigate what contextual information older adults with diabetes disclose to articulate their information needs and used the fixed-effect Poisson model to examine the relationships between different types of contextual information disclosure and informational support receipt. Our analyses were based on a dataset of 4,505 questions and corresponding replies from an online diabetes community. The results showed that cognitive information is the most frequently disclosed contextual information, while older adults tend to disclose demographic information in their questions less. Providing demographic and situational details in questions can enhance informational support receiving, resulting in an increased number of informational supports. However, disclosing cognitive, affective, informational channels, or support information does not significantly affect the informational support receiving. These findings can contribute to extending our existing understanding of information seekers’ communication strategies in OHCs.

Healthcare Marketing Evolution: A Comprehensive Exploration of New-Age Strategies and Patient-Centric Paradigms

This qualitative exploratory research examines the dynamic healthcare market, characterized by its unique interplay between healthcare provision, technological advancements, and evolving marketing strategies. It explores new-age marketing strategies, including digital presence, content marketing, personalization, telehealth, mHealth, social media, patient reviews, healthcare CRM systems, interactive tools, chatbots, and online marketing. The “Digital Presence and Optimization” strategy promotes visibility and engagement through user-friendly websites, SEO, mobile optimization, and social media interaction. “Content Marketing” builds trust and authority by generating useful, empathic content. “Personalization” personalizes healthcare and communications to engage patients. “Telehealth and mHealth” provide remote healthcare and digital health support. “Social Media and Influencer Partnerships” boost brand awareness and trust. Positive patient experiences under “Patient Reviews and Testimonials” influence potential patients. Patient data is centralized in “Healthcare CRM Systems” for personalized communication and targeted advertising. “Interactive Tools and Chatbots” enable instant health information access and patient participation. “Online Advertising” targets demographics and interests on digital channels. This research contributes nuanced insights to healthcare marketing discourse, emphasizing patient-centric approaches and the integration of digital innovations in a competitive market. The findings underscore the necessity for healthcare providers to adopt a more integrated, patient-focused approach to marketing, reflecting the broader trends of digitalization and consumer empowerment in healthcare. This article contributes to the academic discourse on healthcare marketing by providing insights into the strategies shaping the future of patient engagement and healthcare delivery in the digital era.

Online Health Information-Seeking Behaviour among People of African Descent in the United Kingdom: A Qualitative Study.

Effective public health interventions rely on understanding how individuals access, interpret, and utilise health information. Studying the health information-seeking behaviour (HISB) of a community can provide valuable insights to inform strategies that address community health needs and challenges. This study explored the online HISBs of People of African Descent (PoAD) in the United Kingdom (UK), a demographic that comprises four percent of the UK population and has a 92.8% active Internet usage rate. Data on the HISB were collected from 21 PoAD across various UK regions through online semi-structured interviews before being analysed using reflexive Thematic Analysis (TA). The participants ranged in age from 20 to 70 years and had a mean age of 42.8 (SD ± 11.4). Our analysis of the interview transcripts revealed five key themes: Internet usage and preferences, attitudes toward social media, barriers to seeking health information online, trust in online health information, and cultural influences on online HISB. Our findings indicate a proactive engagement among PoAD in seeking health information online that is underscored by a preference for professional sources over ethnic congruence. However, concerns about misinformation exist, and there are barriers to accessing health information online, including data privacy, unreliable information, and information relevance and overload. We also found that cultural factors and traditional beliefs impact the adoption of Internet-based interventions among PoAD, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive approaches. Preferences regarding the frequency and delivery of online health information varied among participants, with a majority preferring a weekly update. This study emphasises the critical need for accessible, culturally appropriate, secure, and reliable online health resources tailored to the needs and preferences of the PoAD.

Exploring the Use of Customized Links to Improve Electronic Engagement With Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Among Young African American Male Individuals: Web-Based Survey Study.

Research has shown that heterosexual African American male individuals aged 18-24 years have a higher prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior. There is a critical need to promote sexual reproductive health (SRH) services among this population, especially in urban settings. Young African American male individuals use social media platforms to access health information, showcasing the potential of social media and web-based links as tools to leverage electronic engagement with this population to promote SRH care. This study aims to explore electronic engagement with young African American male individuals in discussions about SRH care. This paper focuses on the recruitment and social media marketing methods used to recruit young, heterosexual African American male individuals aged 18-24 years for the Stay Safe Project, a larger study that aims to promote SRH services among this population in Detroit, Michigan. We investigate the use of TinyURL, a URL shortener and customized tool, and culturally informed social media marketing strategies to promote electronic engagement within this population. Participants were recruited between December 2021 and February 2022 through various modes, including email listserves, Mailchimp, the UMHealthResearch website, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. Images and vector graphics of African American male individuals were used to create social media advertisements that directed participants to click on a TinyURL that led to a recruitment survey for the study. TinyURL metrics were used to monitor demographic and user data, analyzing the top countries, browsers, operating systems, and devices of individuals who engaged with the customized TinyURL links and the total human and unique clicks from various social media platforms. Mailchimp was the most successful platform for electronic engagement with human and unique clicks on the custom TinyURL link, followed by Instagram and Facebook. In contrast, X, traditional email, and research recruiting websites had the least engagement among our population. Success was determined based on the type of user and follower for each platform, whether gained in the community through sign-ups or promoted at peak user time and embedded and spotlighted on nontraditional media (eg, social media sites, blogs, and podcasts) for the user. Low engagement (eg, traditional email) from the target population, limited visibility, and fewer followers contributed to decreased engagement. This study provides insight into leveraging customized, shortened URLs, TinyURL metrics, and social media platforms to improve electronic engagement with young African American male individuals seeking information and resources about SRH care. The results of this study have been used to develop a pilot intervention for this population that will contribute to strategies for encouraging sexual well-being, clinic use, and appropriate linkage to SRH care services among young, heterosexual African American male individuals.

P045 Google Internet Searches Related to Inflammatory Arthritis: an Observational Study Using Google Trends Data

Abstract Background/Aims Inflammatory arthritis (IA) care involves a paradox. Rheumatologists focus on reducing disease activity through treat-to-target (T2T). But surveys/qualitative studies show patients’ main concern is pain. As these studies include a minority of patients, their findings may not be generalisable. The internet has transformed how patients access health information. Examining search engine data provides an alternative method to understand the health areas of most importance to people with IA. We examined publicly available Google search engine data, to determine the relative popularity of searches for different aspects of health made in conjunction with IA. Methods We used Google Trends data from 2011-2022 to determine the relative popularity of searches for “patient symptom” (pain; work; stiffness; fatigue; mood) and “T2T” (DMARDs; inflammation; synovitis; corticosteroids) domains made with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the UK/USA. Google Trends normalises a sample of search data by popularity over time and region, presenting it on a 0-100 scale at each time-point (100 represents the time-point with most searches). It allows comparisons of up to five search term combinations. We evaluated >100 search term combinations to ascertain the most popular “patient symptom” and “T2T” domains (comparing mean normalised scores across time-points). Results Patient Symptom Domains: in all IA forms in the UK/USA, pain was the most popular term. Its popularity increased over time. UK searches for pain gave mean scores of 58, 34, and 39 with RA, PsA, and AS. UK searches for other patient symptom domains gave mean scores ranging 2-7 with RA; no scores were generated with PsA/AS. In the USA, pain gave mean scores of 79, 51, and 63 with RA, PsA, and AS, compared to scores ranging 2-6 for other domains. T2T Domains: methotrexate was the most popular search term with RA and PsA in the UK (mean 28 and 21) and USA (mean 63 and 33); it was only slightly more popular than searches for synovitis and inflammation. For AS, in the UK and USA inflammation was most popular (mean 9 and 34). Most Popular Patient Symptom vs Most Popular T2T Domain: for RA, PsA, and AS, pain was substantially more popular in the UK (mean 58, 30, 52) and USA (mean 79, 54, 63) than methotrexate in RA and PsA in the UK (mean 16 and 14) and USA (mean 15 and 11) and inflammation in AS in the UK (mean 6) and USA (mean 8). Conclusion Pain is the most popular search term used with IA in Google searches in the UK/USA, supporting surveys/qualitative studies showing pain is the health aspect of most importance to people with IA. Routine pain assessments should be embedded within T2T strategies to ensure patient perspectives are considered. Disclosure M. Akthar: Grants/research support; ‘M.A. previously received funding by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship in Rheumatology)., The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the NIHR, NHS or the Department of Health and Social Care.’. K.J. Mason: Grants/research support; ‘K.J.M. is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR; Grant Reference Number NIHR203281)., The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the NIHR, NHS, or the Department of Health and Social Care.’. I.C. Scott: Grants/research support; ‘I.C.S. is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR Advanced Research Fellowship, NIHR300826)., The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the NIHR, NHS, or the Department of Health and Social Care.’

Accessing Health Information and Health Services

European health communication is rich and diverse in terms of international perspectives, scientific approaches and topics. The ECREA Aarhus Best Papers special issue showcases this diversity. It features the best papers presented at the health communication section of the ECREA conference, which took place in Aarhus in 2022. Four papers were selected for publication through a comprehensive evaluation procedure.