Access To Online Health Information Research Articles

A Study on Consumer-Centric Health Information Provision Strategy Using SWOT-AHP -Focusing on the National Health Information Portal.

Approximately 70% of Koreans access health and medical information online. Health information providers play a crucial role in enhancing public health by ensuring that individuals can effectively consume and utilize this information according to their information-seeking behaviors. However, existing tools for evaluating health information websites have significant limitations. These tools are often one-size-fits-all and lack strategic recommendations for delivering consumer-centered health information. There is a clear need for alternative approaches beyond merely identifying the quality factors that satisfy consumers. A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats-Analytic Hierarchy Process (SWOT-AHP) evaluates both internal and external environmental factors of a health information website, which provides strategies based on the prioritization and weighting of quality factors. Specifically, the 'National Health Information Portal,' a platform provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, was assessed through a comprehensive review of prior research and a SWOT analysis, followed by an AHP survey involving 15 experts specializing in health information websites. The findings of the analysis indicate that the most effective development strategy is the SO (Strengths-Opportunities) strategy. This study highlights the need to move beyond uniform evaluation tools and consider the dynamic and complex nature of the Internet, emphasizing the importance of developing prioritized strategies based on evaluations from both consumers and providers.

Explore barriers to using the internet for health information access in African countries: A systematic review.

The Internet is a crucial source of health information, providing access to vast volumes of high-quality, up-to-date, and relevant healthcare information. Its impact extends beyond information access, influencing medical practice through the widespread adoption of telemedicine and evidence-based medicine. Despite the significant global increase in internet usage, Africa lags in internet penetration, particularly in utilizing the internet for health information. This study aims to systematically review the literature to explore barriers to accessing health information on the Internet in African countries. The study was conducted from January 1 to February 28, 2023. It followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline to systematically review published studies investigating the utilization of the Internet for health information in African countries. A comprehensive search was conducted across various databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Hinari, CINAHL, and Global Health. The inclusion criteria were applied, resulting in the selection of six studies that formed the basis for our analysis. This systematic review identifies eleven barriers to accessing health information on the internet. These include a lack of ownership of smart electronic devices, infrequent internet use, limited internet access, low E-health and computer literacy, slow internet connection, high cost of internet access, insufficient information search skills, residing in rural areas, dealing with diverse fields, and having low perceptions. Improving our understanding of barriers to accessing health information online is essential for policymakers, governments, academics, and healthcare professionals. To enhance the use of the Internet for health information and strengthen the overall health system, policymakers should prioritize increasing Internet accessibility, reducing costs, improving connections, offering basic computer skills training, and ensuring the availability of electronic devices in all institutions.

Assessing the Quality, Content, and Readability of Online Patient Resources on Viscosupplementation

Introduction The internet is an important source of health information; however, the quality of this information is highly variable. Previous studies have demonstrated poor quality, accuracy, and readability of online materials for several treatments used by adult reconstruction surgeons. The purpose of this investigation was to investigate the quality, content, and readability of online resources on viscosupplementation. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was performed using search terms related to viscosupplementation. The first 50 Google, 10 Yahoo, and 10 Bing search results were compiled. Quality was evaluated using the JAMA Benchmark and DISCERN criteria. Content was assessed by a novel viscosupplementation content score. Readability was evaluated using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level(FKGL) and Flesch Reading Ease(FRE). Results A total of 122 websites were reviewed. Overall, the mean scores were: Content6.01/14,JAMA Benchmark2.2/4,DISCERN34.77/80,FKGL11.91±3.76, and FRE42.69±11.1. Overall, third party websites had higher average content and quality scores when compared to private-practice, academic or commercial websites. Private practice websites had lower DISCERN scores than academic and third-party websites. There were no differences in FKGL and FRE between website categories. Websites found with simple search terms yielded higher quality scores and FRE, but lower FKGL, than searches with complex terms. Discussion The quality, content, and readability of online information on viscosupplementation is poor. As patients continue to access health information online, physicians and patients alike should be aware of the limitations of online information regarding viscosupplementation. Physicians should guide their patients towards reliable sources of information to improve patient care.

The association between internet use and the choice of medical institution among Chinese older adults

BackgroundAs older people have complex medical needs and still encounter challenges in accessing online health information, the relationship between Internet use and the choice of medical institution made by them is unclear, and we aimed to examine this relationship.MethodsData from the newly released 2020 China Family Panel Survey database were used. Furthermore, we used descriptive statistics to analyze the background characteristics of the sample and a logistic regression model to estimate the impact of Internet use on the choice of medical institution made by older adults. We conducted a stratified analysis to explore the influence of different characteristics on the relationship between Internet use and the choice of medical institution.ResultsTotally 4,948 older adults were included. Multivariate logistic regression showed that, compared to non-Internet users, Internet users were less likely to choose community health service centers over general hospitals (P < 0.001, OR = 0.667, 95CI%: 0.558–0.797). The subgroup analyses found that Internet use only had an impact on the choice of medical institution in older adults aged 65–69 years, those with partners, those with primary or secondary education, those residing in urban areas, those without medical insurance, those with a self-rated health status as average or healthy, those with unchanged or better health trend, and those without chronic disease. The effect of Internet use on the choice of medical institution did not differ by sex, satisfaction, or trust in doctors.ConclusionInternet use may significantly affect older adults’ tendency to choose general hospitals to meet their daily medical needs. The subgroup analyses indicated that different characteristics of older people affected this association.

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.

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.

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.

Correlation between habits of using online health information and e-health literacy in middle-aged and older Chinese adults

BackgroundAlong with increased online dependency of supplying and obtaining health knowledge, e-health literacy emerges as one of essential skills for people with chronic diseases. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the current experience and challenges associated with online health information use behaviors and e-health literacy in middle-aged and older adults, and offer insights for improving e-health literacy level and developing tailored Internet-based health knowledge dissemination services. MethodsFrom June to September 2021, a questionnaire survey was administered to 1 061 middle-aged and older adults in Shanghai communities, using a multi-stage sampling method. The survey instruments included General Information Questionnaire and the Chinese version of the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). These tools helped measure participants' online health information use behavior and their e-health literacy levels. Multilinear stepwise regression analysis was employed to explore the relationship between internet health information use habits, other potential influencing factors, and e-health literacy levels. ResultsOf the distributed questionnaires, 1,019 were returned, yielding a 96.04 % response rate. In terms of approaches accessing online health information, 40.33 % (411 participants) used health media platform accounts, 32.97 % (336 participants) used search engines, 24.93 % (254 participants) engaged with health management apps or mini programs, and a smaller number, 65 cases participated in online health group. Regarding information sources, a relatively small number of residents relied on medical institutions (38.96 %, 397 participants) and medical personnel (18.35 %, 187 participants). The average eHEALS score was 27.62 ± 8.57. Participants demonstrated limited awareness in using online health information to solve their health problems (item 2 of eHEALS, 3.36 ± 1.27) and in discerning reliable from unreliable health information on Internet (item 6 of eHEALS, 3.38 ± 1.23). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that e-health literacy was influenced by several factors, including age, coverage of both social and commercial medical insurances, the use of at least two online health information sources and search approaches, behaviors of forwarding and sharing online health information, and holding positive attitude of accepting online health information. ConclusionThe e-health literacy of these middle-aged and older adults is moderate and influenced by various factors, including online health information use behaviors. To help them make better use of online health information and improve their e-health literacy, the authors recommended to provide authoritative information integration and retrieval platform, to strengthen regulation and supervision of health information providers, to develop older people friendly health information online platforms, and to help middle aged and older adults to better use online health information by mobilizing the resources of communities, families, health associations, and medical and insurance institutions.

Evaluating online health information utilisation and its psychosocial implications among breast cancer survivors: Qualitative explorations.

This study investigated the online information-seeking behaviours of breast cancer patients at Jordan University Hospital, focusing on their dissatisfaction with available online health resources and its impact on their well-being and anxiety levels. Employing descriptive phenomenology and convenience sampling, we conducted five Skype-based focus groups with 4-6 breast cancer survivors each, from March to July 2020. Data analysis was performed using NVivo, following Braun and Clark's inductive thematic analysis framework. The thematic analysis revealed critical insights into survivors' interactions with online cancer resources, identifying key subthemes such as the quality of online information, cyberchondriasis, health literacy and search strategies, the distress caused by counterproductive searches, and the tendency to avoid internet searches. The study underscores the challenges breast cancer survivors face in accessing online health information, especially in Arabic. It highlights the need to improve the quality and accessibility of these resources. Enhancing the cultural relevance of online materials and educating patients on effective information evaluation are crucial. These measures can significantly boost health literacy, mitigate anxiety, and provide better support for breast cancer survivors.

Knowledge and Attitude regarding e-health services among elderly at selected urban community areas, Kolar, with a view to develop information pamphlet

E-health technologies potential to expand access to healthcare on a local, regional, and international level, reduce costs, and enhance public and individual health through individualized care and compiled health data. The widespread use of smartphones and tablets has made it possible for older adults, to access health information online which has led to a steady rise in their use of e-health services like getting reminders for appointments instructions for taking medications, telemedicine consultation and taking part in health programmes.To assess the knowledge and attitude of older adults on e-health services.A descriptive survey design was conducted in urban areas of the community in Kolar Karnataka. A total of 100 older adults were included using a purposive sampling technique &amp; data collected through structured knowledge questionnaire a five point Likert scale among elderly. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 20. The findings showed that older adults, 5% of participants showed adequate knowledge and 75% showed moderate knowledge with only 20% of respondents having inadequate knowledge. Concerning attitudes towards e-health services it indicated that, the majority 80% of geriatric clients showed favourable attitudes, moderately favorable 19%, and unfavorable 1%. It’s found to be statistically significant for variables like age, usage of e-health services &amp; source of information. e-health utilization was proven to be favorable attitude among older adults. Hence it's necessary to take measures in the hospital setup, to initiate e-health services to access the health services without undue stress and time wastage to wait for appointments.

Experiences of Non-Nursing College Students in Accessing Health Information Online

Background: With the rapid growth of information and communication technology, the Internet has become a prevalent platform for seeking health information globally, with the Philippines ranking 10th in Internet usage. Hence, understanding the experiences of college students in accessing and evaluating such information is crucial. Objective: This study aimed to explore the lived experience of non-nursing college students with their health information-seeking behaviour and perceptions of source credibility on the internet. Methods: This study used a qualitative research design utilizing a phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews were used with sixteen (16) non-nursing participants through a purposive sampling technique. Colaizzi's method was employed for data analysis with the aid of in vivo software. Results: The following were the emergent themes: (1) experiences and behaviours related to seeking health information online; (2) challenges and preferences in seeking health information online; (3) the impact of online health information on healthcare decisions; and (4) the credibility of online health information sources. Conclusion: The study's findings highlight the convenience, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness of online platforms as significant factors driving the use of the Internet for health information among non-nursing college students. However, they face challenges like information overload, conflicting sources, accuracy concerns, technical language barriers, and the risks of self-diagnosis. Hence, the study emphasised the need to enhance information filtering, promote information literacy, ensure localised information, and improve accessibility and clarity.

Quality Assessment of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Information on the Internet.

Patient education is a key element of spinal surgery informed consent. Patients frequently access health information online, yet this information is unregulated and of variable quality. We aimed to assess the quality of information available on degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) websites with a focus on identifying high-quality information websites. We performed a Google search using keywords pertaining to DCM. The top 50 websites returned were classified based on their publication source, intended audience, and country of origin. The quality of these websites was assessed using both the DISCERN instrument and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria. We also utilized a novel Myelopathy Information Scoring Tool (MIST) to assess the comprehensiveness, accuracy, and detail of online DCM information. The mean DISCERN score was 39.9 out of 80. Only one-quarter of these websites were rated "good" or "excellent" using DISCERN, and the remaining were rated "very poor," "poor," and "fair." The mean JAMA benchmark score was 1.6 out of 4, with 23 out of 50 websites scoring 0. Evaluation using MIST found a mean score of 25.6 out of 50. Using 30 points as a satisfactory MIST cutoff, 72% of DCM websites were deemed critically deficient and unsatisfactory for comprehensive patient education. Both DISCERN and MIST indicated poorest information pertaining to surgical risks and complications as well as treatment outcomes. Websites such as Orthoinfo.aaos.org and Myelopathy.org provided reliable, trustworthy, and comprehensive patient education. Information available on almost three-quarters of DCM websites was of poor quality, with information regarding complications and treatment outcomes most deficient. Clinicians should be aware of quality sites where patients may be directed to augment patient education and surgical counseling.

Exercises for fibromyalgia syndrome: what YouTube tells us as a source of information for patient and physician education.

YouTube, a popular worldwide source to access health information online, may have an impact in enhancing exercise therapy for fibromyalgia patients. This study is aimed to investigate the quality and reliability of exercise videos prepared for fibromyalgia syndrome on YouTube. A thorough search on YouTube using six search terms related to fibromyalgia treatment and exercise was conducted. The videos with content on exercises for fibromyalgia, acceptable audio-video quality, and are in English language were included, whereas duplicates were excluded from the analysis. Quality was determined using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and JAMA system, and reliability using the mDISCERN criteria. Out of a total of 600 videos, 70 videos that met the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. Physicians were found to produce content mostly in high and medium quality (%70.2), other medical professionals mostly in low and medium quality (93.8%), while non-medical users mostly in low quality (86.7%). Ninety percent of the videos targeted patients, while 10% targeted healthcare professionals as an audience, and the majority (93.7%) of videos targeting patients were of low and medium quality, as most (85.7%) of the videos targeting healthcare professionals were of high quality. YouTube can be used as a tool to increase exercise adherence in fibromyalgia patients, as it offers a wide range of content that is easily accessible and useful at times. To implement this tool, physicians need to upload more content online as they stand for pioneers of high-quality information dissemination on the internet. KeyPoints • This research emphasizes the need for high-quality online healthcare information which is accessed by a vast number of individuals and the implementations that effectively address and prevent the spread of misinformation. • Additionally, it presents suggestions for the future regarding the uploading of such content on the internet. • Physicians hold the key responsibility in ensuring the availability of high-quality online health content, thereby carrying significant implications for its overall impact.

Quality of Japanese Online Information on Causes of Neck Pain: A Biopsychosocial Analysis.

Background While a considerable amount of information on neck pain is available online, the quality and comprehensiveness of this information can vary greatly. Particularly, the representation of the biopsychosocial model - which recognizes neck pain as an interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors - in online information remains unclear. Given the prevalence and accessibility of online health information, it is important to understand its quality and how it may shape individuals' understanding and management of neck pain. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the quality of online Japanese information on the causes of neck pain from a biopsychosocial perspective. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The search term "neck pain" was utilized on Google's search engine in June 2023, and the websites from the first two pages of the search results were included in the study. Ten advertisement websites were excluded, resulting in 19 websites being analyzed. Each website was evaluated based on the presence of the Health-on-the-Net (HON) code. Biomedical and psychosocial factors present in each website were identified using the biopsychosocial analysis tool. Websites were then categorized as biomedical, limited biopsychosocial, or biopsychosocial based on the number of psychosocial factors they mentioned. Results Among the 19 evaluated websites, only one possessed the HON certification, indicating a potential lack of credibility for the remaining sites. Of these websites, a large majority (63.2%) were classified as biomedical, while the remaining (36.8%) were classified as limited biopsychosocial. All the websites included some form of biomedical information on the causes of neck pain, while only seven websites mentioned psychological factors and one website mentioned social factors. The most common biomedical causes of neck pain discussed were cervical muscle strain and radicular pain due to cervical disc prolapse. On the other hand, the limited biopsychosocial websites highlighted perceived stress, depressed mood, and job-related mental stress as psychosocial factors contributing to neck pain. Conclusions This analysis revealed that freely accessible Japanese online information on the causes of neck pain, as found through Google, predominantly focuses on the biomedical causes, often neglecting or insufficiently addressing the psychosocial aspects. This finding underscores a gap between the available online resources and the comprehensive understanding promoted by the biopsychosocial model of health. Healthcare professionals need to be proactive in guiding their patients toward reliable, well-rounded resources that acknowledge the crucial role of psychosocial factors in neck pain. Furthermore, developers of online health information must aim to improve the depth and breadth of psychosocial factors discussed, promoting a more holistic understanding of neck pain for the Japanese public.

Digital health and human rights of young adults in Ghana, Kenya and Vietnam: a qualitative participatory action research study

IntroductionDigital health offers the potential to strengthen health systems in low- and middle-income countries. However, experts have warned about threats to human rights.MethodsWe used qualitative methods to investigate how young...

Chronic Diseases and Sociodemographic Characteristics Associated With Online Health Information Seeking and Using Social Networking Sites: Nationally Representative Cross-sectional Survey in Japan.

In an aging society, worsening chronic diseases increase the burden on patients and the health care system. Using online health information including health information via social networking sites (SNSs), such as Facebook and YouTube, may play an important role in the self-management of chronic diseases and health promotion for internet users. This study aims to improve strategies for promoting access to reliable information for the self-management of chronic diseases via the internet, and to identify populations facing barriers to using the internet for health, we examined chronic diseases and characteristics associated with online health information seeking and the use of SNSs. This study used data from the INFORM Study 2020, which was a nationally representative cross-sectional postal mail survey conducted using a self-administered questionnaire in 2020. The dependent variables were online health information seeking and SNS use. Online health information seeking was assessed using 1 question about whether respondents used the internet to find health or medical information. SNS use was assessed by inquiring about the following 4 aspects: visiting SNSs, sharing health information on SNSs, writing in an online diary or blog, and watching a health-related video on YouTube. The independent variables were 8 chronic diseases. Other independent variables were sex, age, education status, work, marital status, household income, health literacy, and self-reported health status. We conducted a multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for all independent variables to examine the associations of chronic diseases and other variables with online health information seeking and SNS use. The final sample for analysis comprised 2481 internet users. Hypertension or high blood pressure, chronic lung diseases, depression or anxiety disorder, and cancer were reported by 24.5%, 10.1%, 7.7%, and 7.2% of respondents, respectively. The odds ratio of online health information seeking among respondents with cancer was 2.19 (95% CI 1.47-3.27) compared with that among those without cancer, and the odds ratio among those with depression or anxiety disorder was 2.27 (95% CI 1.46-3.53) compared with that among those without. Further, the odds ratio for watching a health-related YouTube video among those with chronic lung diseases was 1.42 (95% CI 1.05-1.93) compared with that among those without these diseases. Women, younger age, higher level of education, and high health literacy were positively associated with online health information seeking and SNS use. For patients with cancer, strategies for promoting access to websites with reliable cancer-related information as well as access among patients with chronic lung diseases to YouTube videos providing reliable information may be beneficial for the management of these diseases. Moreover, it is important to improve the online environment to encourage men, older adults, internet users with lower education levels, and those with low health literacy to access online health information.

Assessment of quality and reliability of YouTube videos for patient and physician education on inflammatory myositis

IntroductionYouTube is the second most popular search website worldwide to access health information online. This study was undertaken to assess the reliability and quality of information about myositis on YouTube and delineate attributes of useful videos using standard metrics.MethodsWe conducted a thorough search on YouTube using 9 search terms related to myositis. The inclusion criteria were content related to myositis, English language and acceptable audio–video quality. Duplicates and advertisements were excluded from the analysis. Videos were classified as useful, not very useful or misleading and patient narratives. Reliability was determined using the mDISCERN criteria, quality using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and JAMA system, using appropriate cut-offs (mDISCERN > 4, GQS > 4, JAMA > 3).ResultsOut of a total of 900 videos, 453 were included for the analysis. Seventy-four per cent and 2% provided useful and not very useful information respectively, while 24% were patient narratives. Seventy-one per cent were intended specifically for patients while 69% were for healthcare providers and students.Noteworthily, useful and not very useful videos had similar total views though the number of likes and daily viewership were higher for useful videos (p = 0.024, p = 0.046).Nearly half (47%) of useful videos were by professional medical societies/patient support groups (PSGs) while not very useful ones were by nonmedical media (38%). Physician-predicted usefulness was discordant with score-based usefulness (κ = 0.129). However, GQS emerged as a significant (p = 0.008) predictor of video usefulness in multivariate analysis.ConclusionA large majority of English YouTube videos on myositis provide useful information for patients. Physicians could signpost patients to high-quality useful videos as determined by GQS and sources like professional medical societies and PSGs.Key Points•This study highlights the importance of regulating health information posted online, accessed by millions of people, to gauge the quality of information and to identify and curb misinformation.•It also identifies recommendations for the future for uploading such content on the Internet.•The implications lie in our patients being better informed about their disease as they are important stakeholders in the healthcare decision-making process.

COVID-19 and Dr. Google: Parents' changing experience using online health information about their children's health during the pandemic.

To identify how the COVID-19 pandemic influences parents' use of the internet, including social media, when seeking health-related information about the pandemic relevant to their children. This study employed semi-structured interviews to explore the factors affecting parents of young children when information-seeking online about their children's health related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents of children with and without chronic health conditions were interviewed in July and August 2020. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed using theoretical thematic analysis, based on Social Cognitive Theory. Through interviews with 13 parents, we identified a myriad of factors that affected parents' internet searching. The decision to access online health information and the regulation of its usage was multifaceted and relied upon the interactions between environmental triggers and parents' information needs, personal attitudes, and circumstances. Overall, parents felt supported by online health information during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the majority were confident in their ability to navigate the plethora of online health information. However, parents of children with chronic conditions had unmet information needs in relation to COVID-19 and their children's condition. Understanding parents' attitudes and behaviours when seeking online health information that is relevant to their children during a global pandemic can inform the optimisation of online health content delivery to parents.

Internet Health Information on Patient’s Decision-Making: Implications, Opportunities and Challenges

The accessibility of online health information has changed the decision-making process for patients concerning their health. Nevertheless, concerns persist regarding the quality and reliability of the information available on the Internet. The Internet has emerged as the dominant global source of health-related information, with a significant proportion of individuals utilizing it to retrieve information on nutrition, diseases, symptoms, and treatment options. However, the unregulated nature of online health information poses challenges in terms of assessing its credibility and accuracy. Increasingly, patients are actively engaged in healthcare decision-making, empowered by the information they acquire online. Consequently, a paradigm shift from the traditional physician-centric model to a more collaborative and patient-centered approach has occurred. Patients now have access to an expanded array of healthcare professionals and possess the ability to make informed decisions regarding their treatment and care. Nonetheless, the variability in quality of online health information and patients' limited capacity to effectively evaluate it can give rise to misunderstandings, misinformation, and an elevated propensity for self-diagnosis and self-treatment. Furthermore, patients' reliance on online information can impact the patient-physician relationship, with discrepancies between online findings and physician diagnoses leading to dissatisfaction and conflicts. Barriers obstructing effective patient-physician communication on online health information include patient's apprehension about challenging physicians, perceived resistance from physicians themselves, and difficulties in comprehending and articulating the information sourced online. Addressing these barriers and enhancing the patient-physician relationship can yield positive outcomes, including timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and shared decision-making. While Internet use brings advantages such as increased accessibility to healthcare providers and enhanced patient empowerment, it also introduces certain disadvantages. The prevalence of misinformation and disinformation on the Internet engenders risks, contributing to confusion and a lack of trust in healthcare institutions. Additionally, patients may encounter challenges in interpreting and prioritizing the information they find online, which can result in heightened anxiety and uncertainty regarding their health. This review critically examines the impact of Internet use on patient decision-making and its effect on the patient-physician relationship.

The Influences of Open Access of Online Health Information on Patient Compliance to Professional Healthcare Providers Prescription in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District Uganda

Globally the health sector has witnessed disruptive transformation of how information is; generated, analyzed and shared using Information Communication Technologies (ICT). There is limited understanding on how patient’s access of online health information influences their desire to seek professional healthcare services or their adherence to professional healthcare service providers prescription/advise. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence that online health information has on patients’ compliance to professional healthcare service provider’s case management plans in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District, Uganda. Results show that, availability of internet, accessibility and availability of information and desire to gain deeper understanding are some of key factors that influence patients to access online health information. The study further revealed that access to online health information reinforces patient desired to seek professional care services and adhere to a case management plan provided by the health workers in addition to improving patient awareness and participation in management of their health.