Online Information Sources Research Articles

Beyond the pandemic: evaluating the health care workforce’s readiness for sustained use of virtual care after COVID-19

Background and aims: This study aimed to investigate healthcare professionals (HCPs) preparedness to continue using telehealth beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, to examine the perceived ability of HCPs to appraise the reliability of online information sources (digital literacy) and, to examine whether a relationship exists between this and preparedness to continue using telehealth. Methods: Single-site cross-sectional survey of HCPs in an outpatient and community therapy setting. The survey was based on a rapid literature review guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Technology Acceptance Model. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise participant demographics, preparedness for telehealth, and digital literacy (based on confidence in appraising online information). Multivariable logistic regression assessed the associations between preparedness to continue using telehealth, the ability to evaluate online information sources, and demographic variables. Results: A total of 783 HCPs were invited, 310 responded, with 287 participants included in the final analysis (37% response rate excluding incomplete surveys). The analysis shows that 54.8% of participants preferred to return to in-person care. Preparedness to continue telehealth varied by profession and clinical activity, with medical professionals and script provision showing the highest readiness for continued telehealth use and allied health professionals the least likely to continue using telehealth (36%). Most (89%) of HCPs felt confident identifying reliable online information sources and there was no relationship between perceived ability to evaluate online information and preparedness to use telehealth. Conclusion: Results suggest hesitancy amongst allied staff toward continued telehealth use post the pandemic, which may be due to the type of care they provide. Future studies on technologies that support HCPs in providing more intensive virtual care would be of benefit.

The Experiences of Pregnancy Among Adolescent Girls in Jordan

ObjectiveTo explore the experience of pregnancy among adolescent girls ages 16 to 19 years in Jordan. DesignDescriptive exploratory qualitative design. SettingParticipants were recruited from antenatal clinics and postpartum wards in Ministry of Health primary health care clinics and hospitals across Jordan. This included a wide geographic area in Jordan that covered several cities: Amman, Zarqa, Irbid, As-Salt, and others. ParticipantsThe total number of participants was 13. Most participants were primiparous, and three were multiparous. Five participants were recruited during the postpartum period, seven in the second and third trimester, and one during the first trimester. MeasurementsData were collected using semistructured and audio-recorded interviews and analyzed concurrently. Thematic analysis was used. A total of 13 interviews were conducted. ResultsTwo core themes emerged from the study: Navigating the Change and Reflecting on the Experience of Pregnancy. The first theme included four subthemes: Making Adjustments, Seeking Support, Searching for Information, and Feeling the Responsibility. ConclusionConsidering the impact of pregnancy on adolescent girls and their fetuses, early marriages should be reconsidered in legal and health policies in Jordan and worldwide. Adolescents expressed a need for more information about pregnancy. Age-appropriate comprehensive sexual education that includes discussion of gender issues and women’s empowerment is needed. Online sources of pregnancy information targeting the needs of adolescents are also recommended. More research is needed to explore the needs of pregnant adolescents in different social and cultural contexts.

Social media influencers in the space of pregnancy and parenting: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionSocial media influencers (SMIs) are popular sources of online information on various topics, including many aspects of health. Recently, there has been an upsurge in SMIs creating content about pregnancy...

A Multidisciplinary Threats to Emerging Cybersecurity, Legal and Ethical Threats Posed by Deepfake Technology

The creation of remarkably realistic but phony audio and video content through the use of deepfake technology raises a number of issues with cybersecurity, law and ethics. Deep fakes undermine the credibility of online information sources by posing risks including identity theft and the dissemination of false information. Legally speaking, the rise of deepfakes highlights regulatory inadequacies and enforcement concerns while posing difficult considerations about privacy rights and responsibility. Due to the potential for reputational injury and the perpetuation of negative stereotypes, deep fakes raise ethical questions about permission, privacy and harm to society. Deep fakes have become more common as a result of artificial intelligence's quick development which calls for preventative steps to counter new dangers. To effectively secure against misuse and maintain the integrity of digital material, this research paper proposes for a multidisciplinary strategy that takes legal, ethical and cybersecurity concerns into account

Evaluation of Videos Related to Vaginal Cone Usage on YouTube as an Online Information Source.

The aim of this study is to examine the quality and content characteristics of educational videos on the use of vaginal cones published on YouTube. Video searches were conducted on the YouTube website using the keyword "usage of vaginal cones". A total of 52 videos were included in the current study. Modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) scales were used to evaluate the reliability of the videos, and the Global Quality Scale (GQS) was used for quality and usefulness. As a result of the content analysis conducted, it was observed that 29 videos were classified as having "poor content" and 23 as "rich content." When we examined the sources of the videos (n = 52), it was found that the majority (58%, n = 30) were produced by nonhealth care sources (medical companies and nonhealth professionals). With statistical significance in mDISCERN and GQS (p = 0.014, p = 0.036), physiotherapists were found to have the highest average scores (4.11 ± 1.05, 3.44 ± 0.73) whereas doctors ranked second in the average standard deviation (3.09 ± 1.04, 2.82 ± 0.98). In JAMA, medical companies were found to have the highest average score with statistical significance (p = 0.015) at 3.4 ± 0.74, followed by doctors at 3 ± 1, and physiotherapists at 2.89 ± 0.78 when averages were analyzed. It is clearly evident that there is a need for higher quality and more reliable vaginal cone content database on YouTube. It is important for patients to be guided by health care professionals and informed about quality content criteria in order to access quality, reliable, and useful information.

Differences in Information-Seeking About Sex and Sexuality Among Jewish and Arab Young Adults in Israel

The proliferation of online information sources, particularly regarding sex and sexuality, presents challenges for young people, educators, and policymakers in understanding how different cultural, socioeconomic, and minority groups access this information. The study explores disparities in seeking information about sex and sexuality among Arab and Jewish Israeli young adults. Findings from a survey of 303 participants aged 18–40 show that Jewish young adults consult more information sources than do Arab young adults. Socioeconomic status, gender, age, and religious status predict the sources used. The study emphasizes cultural and ethnic variations in healthcare access. Suggestions include culturally tailored sexuality education.

Self-expressed needs and gaps in our care of metastatic breast cancer (MBC): An all-Ireland patient-led online survey (CTRIAL-IE 23-05).

12058 Background: Therapeutic advances have improved MBC survival rates, but patient self-expressed information needs have not been evaluated in Ireland to date. Heretofore, the patient’s voice has not been central to such an assessment, potentially leading to incorrect assumptions about MBC care. Methods: An anonymous online survey was designed by a cohort of 30 patients with MBC facilitated by a multidisciplinary breast cancer specialist taskforce. A questionnaire asked individuals to report their experience across three domains: credible information sources, palliative care access, and mental health. Patients with MBC 18 years or older living on the Island of Ireland were eligible to participate. The survey was publicised in the media and in oncology clinics nationally and was available for 10 weeks. The survey consisted of a mixture of open and closed questions and results were summarized by means of counts and percentages for categorical variables and by means of mean, standard deviation, median and range for continuous variables. Results: Between July-October 2023, 246 patients completed the survey. The median age of responders was 52.5. 99.4% of patients wished to have access to their personal medical records. Over 95% sought information about metastatic breast cancer outside of the clinic. The go-to information source varied (mostly online). No dedicated comprehensive information source on MBC was identified. Over 83% of patients with MBC were amenable to early palliative care referral but oncology teams did not raise this to the majority. Over 87% of patients reported mental health issues and the majority did seek support (88.4%). Living with uncertainty while awaiting scan results commonly led to feelings of anxiousness (79.5%), fearfulness (54.1%) and depression (15.2%). Conclusions: Patient-led research demonstrates that the patients’ voice is imperative to identify meaningful health interventions. System change including rapid streamlined access to personal medical records and the provision of a credible online information source dedicated to MBC may empower patients to enable them to live well for as long as possible. Routine discussion around early palliative care referral and an opt out approach may be of benefit. Acknowledging the high burden of mental health issues among this patient group and ongoing development of support services is crucial. Minimising the time patients live with uncertainty waiting for scan results should be prioritised.

The Environmental Impact of Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) on Health

We have methodically scrutinized the pervasive electromagnetic fields (EMF) prevalent in modern society for their potential health hazards. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF), resulting biological effects, present recommendations, population characteristics, and public opinion. The main aim of this research is to give a comprehensive explanation of the subject. The data collection process encompassed gathering EMF exposure levels in different settings, analyzing experimental studies on biological impacts, consolidating existing standards, investigating demographic discrepancies, and evaluating public perception through surveys. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics to summarize the findings and inferential statistics to evaluate the relationships between variables. EMF exposure levels differed among various locations, with metropolitan areas and industrial facilities demonstrating elevated amounts. Studies in real life have shown that electromagnetic fields (EMF) can have many effects on living things, including increased oxidative stress, changed gene expression, and messed up biological cycles. Different organizations had varying guidelines, which were based on different risk assessment approaches. There were differences in the demographic groups regarding their exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and their levels of awareness. Children and teenagers had more exposure to EMF, whereas younger individuals showed higher levels of awareness but variable degrees of concern. Public opinion differed among age groups, with younger people relying more on online sources for information. This study offers significant insights into the complex correlation between electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure and human health. The results emphasize the necessity of focused evaluation of risks and implementation of measures to reduce them, standardization of standards, and customized communication campaigns to tackle demographic differences in awareness and apprehension. This research contributes new findings to the existing body of knowledge, facilitating public discussions, influencing governmental decisions, and fostering a healthier and more informed society.

A quality assessment of YouTube as an information resource for tonsillectomy

PurposeOnline resources are increasingly being utilised by patients to guide their clinical decision making, as an alternative or supplement to the traditional clinical-patient relationship. YouTube is an online repository of user and community generated videos, which is one of the most popular websites globally. We undertook a study to examine the quality of information presented in YouTube videos related to tonsillectomy. MethodsWe completed a systematic search of YouTube in May 2023 and identified 88 videos for inclusion in our study. Videos were published in the English language, focussing on tonsillectomy and tonsillectomy recovery, and were greater than 2 min in length. We recorded video quality metrics and two authors independently analysed the quality of information using three validated quality assessment tools described in the literature including the modified DISCERN, Global Quality Score, and the JAMA Benchmark Criteria. ResultsThe overall quality of the information was low with mean quality scores of Modified DISCERN (1.8 ± 1.3), GQS (2.6 ± 1.2), and JAMA Benchmark Criteria (1.6 ± 0.7). Information published by medical sources including medical professionals, healthcare organisations, and medical education channels scored significantly higher compared to non-medical sources across all quality measures and were of moderate overall quality and usefulness: Modified DISCERN (2.5 ± 1.1 vs 0.8 ± 0.9, z = −6.0, p < 0.001), GQS (3.2 ± 1.0 vs 1.7 ± 0.9, z = −5.7, p < 0.001), and JAMA (1.9 ± 0.8 vs 1.1 ± 0.3, z = −5.2, p < 0.001). Videos published during or after 2018 scored higher on Modified DISCERN (z = −3.2,p = 0.001) but not on GQS or JAMA. Video quality metrics such as total view count, likes, and comments, and channel subscriber count, did not correlate with higher video quality. However, amongst videos published by authoritative medical sources, total view count correlated positively with higher Modified DISCERN quality scores (p = 0.037). ConclusionThe overall quality and usefulness of YouTube videos on tonsillectomy is of low quality, but information published by authoritative medical sources score significantly higher. Clinicians should be mindful of increasing use of online information sources such as YouTube when counselling patients. Further research is needed in the medical community to create engaging, high-quality content to provide guidance for patients.

Teaching Experimental Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Are we forming professionals, training operators or illuding students (and ourselves)?

Teaching Experimental Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Are we forming professionals, training operators or illuding students (and ourselves)?

Current Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Libraries

Since now a days online information sources like e-books, e-journal, e-database have increased considerably. The term “Digital Library” corresponds to a very complex notion with several diverse aspects and cannot be captured by a simple definition. The introduction of digital information sources on internet has revolution the academic world. This paper depicts that some of the issues and current challenges and opportunities relating to digital libraries

A Readability Study of Carpal Tunnel Release in 2023.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Medical Association (AMA) recommend a sixth-grade reading level for patient-directed content. This study aims to quantitatively evaluate the readability of online information sources related to carpal tunnel surgery using established readability indices. Web searches for "carpal tunnel release" and "carpal tunnel decompression surgery" queries were performed using Google, and the first 20 websites were identified per query. WebFX online software tools were utilized to determine readability. Indices included Flesch Kincaid Reading Ease, Flesch Kincaid Grade Level, Coleman Liau Index, Automated Readability Index, Gunning Fog Score, and the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook Index. Health-specific clickthrough rate (CTR) data were used in order to select the first 20 search engine results page from each query. "Carpal tunnel release" had a mean readability of 8.46, and "carpal tunnel decompression surgery" had a mean readability of 8.70. The range of mean readability scores among the indices used for both search queries was 6.17 to 14.0. The total mean readability for carpal tunnel surgery information was found to be 8.58. This corresponds to approximately a ninth-grade reading level in the United States. The average readability of carpal tunnel surgery online content is three grade levels above the recommended sixth-grade level for patient-directed materials. This discrepancy indicates that existing online materials related to carpal tunnel surgery are more difficult to understand than the standards set by NIH and AMA.

The impact of information needs satisfaction on the creativity of visual art teachers

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate how the information needs satisfaction of visual art teachers affects their creativity. Visual art teachers’ information seeking behaviour and specifically the association of information needs satisfaction with creativity has been an understudied area, despite competent information seeking being considered essential for high quality practices of art teachers.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was developed addressing the information seeking behaviour of art teachers, informed by Wilson’s model (1981), including visual art teachers’ information needs, information resources, obstacles faced while seeking information and the perceived impact of information needs satisfaction on visual art teachers’ creativity.FindingsThe study included 298 visual art teachers in Greece. The results demonstrated that the key information needs of art teachers were mainly related to materials’ properties, techniques for creating artwork and artwork promotion methods. Online information sources were the preferred sources of art information, followed by colleagues, personal collections and visits to galleries and museums. Our study identified lack of time, lack of specialized libraries and copyright, as the main barriers to information seeking.Originality/valueInformation about art plays a substantial role in visual art education, while visual art teachers’ information needs satisfaction positively influences their creative endeavours. There is a need to further explore the digital information needs of visual art teachers.

Information Sources Preferred by Students in Academic Writing

The study was conducted to directly determine the information resources used by students. Also, the study specifically aimed to identify which format and type of information resources are preferred by students when writing their researches or assignments. A devised structured survey questionnaire; other parts of the tool were patterned with the study of Dilevko &amp; Gottlieb5. The survey was administered 1st Semester of 2022-2023 to eighty (n= 80) students, forty (40) each from second and fifth year plus students. The collected surveys were sorted and tabulated.Mean, percentage and rank were used to treat the data statistically. Results demonstrated that despite the proliferation of online information sources, students still preferred to use print when writing their researches or assignments.In terms of types, regardless of format, books were still preferred over journals and magazines. This result can be attributed to the library’s weak Serials (journals, magazines, etc.) collections. The library should consider to balance and strengthen its collections in both format and type.

Effectiveness of Online Information Sources on Medication Knowledge, Health-Behavior and Health Management Practices Associated with Osteonecrosis of the Jaw among Dental Professionals

Background: Medication-related osteonecrosis of jaw (MRONJ) is referred to as a complication which impactspatients’ both mental and physical health conditions and requires antiangiogenic or antiresorptive therapy,particularly when they feel traumatic toothache, neuralgia in maxillofacial area and sleep disorders. Besideseffective treatment, such patients also need a complete knowledge of medication and health behavioralmanagement strategies associated with MRONJ. Methodology: This study focuses on evaluating theeffectiveness of online information sources on Medication Knowledge, Health behavior as well as HealthManagement Practices associated with MRONJ among dental professionals. For this purpose, a cross-sectionalresearch design was used with a sample of 240 participants, comprising 160 dental professionals and 80 dentaltrainees, in Turkey. The data was gathered via an electronic self-administered questionnaire. SPSS softwarewas used for the data analysis and the level of significance was maintained at p &lt; 0.05. At the same time, achi-square test was performed for comparing categorical variables. Results: The results obtained from thisstudy showed that 160 of the participants utilized online sources in order to obtain Medication Knowledge forantiresorptive medications while 80 of the participants used these sources for obtaining information regardingantiangiogenic medications. However, insignificant differences were obtained in this regard, emphasizingthe increased utilized for different online information sources to improve the Medication Knowledgeregarding antiangiogenic or antiresorptive therapy in the context of MRONJ among dental professionals.

Analysis of the Impact of Coal Mineacid Water on River Water Quality, Biota, and Human Health Around Mining

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) or Acidic Acidic Drainage (AAT) is a type of water runoff that happens when certain sulfide minerals in rocks come in contact with water and oxygen, triggering an oxidation process that results in water with acidic properties. To understand more about this phenomenon, a literature review was conducted using relevant keywords on online information sources. The indicators used to measure the level of acidity in mine water include pH, metal concentration, Total Suspended Solid (TSS) or turbidity level, electrical conductivity, sulfate, and sulfuric acid content. High electrical conductivity in mine water usually indicates the presence of metals such as iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn). High levels of manganese (Mn) in water can cause health problems for humans. Moreover, an increase in the concentration of Fe can cause an increase in turbidity or TSS because iron metal can dissolve in air and form solid particles that can cause turbidity. To reduce acidity and environmental pollution, passive or active treatment techniques can be used to neutralize AMD.

Online health information seeking behavior of Croatian urological patients and liability for the violation of an individual’s right to health by disinformation

The aim of this paper was to explore online health information seeking behavior. The method used in this study was conducting a survey by means of a questionnaire which was distributed to the urological patients of the “Dr. Juraj Navro” National Memorial Hospital in Vukovar in Croatia. The results were analysed by the SPSS statistical package utilising descriptive and inferential statistical methods (Chi-square, Mann Whitney U test). Regarding the online information sources that urological patients consult, as many as 21% of the respondents indicated that they searched for health information on Facebook. The obtained research results point to the conclusion that urological patients have a medium level of trust in online health information and indicate the need to increase the level of health literacy among patients in Croatia through various educational campaigns at the national and international level. The problem of online disinformation raises also numerous legal issues. Therefore, the legal framework of liability due to the violation of an individual’s right to health, by disinformation, was explored.

Open access encyclopedia

Since the era of Enlightenment, the role of encyclopaedias has been to organise and structure knowledge, and communicate it to society. In the digital age, professionally edited encyclopaedias have not lost its enlightenment mission; on the contrary, its role in enabling systemic and reliable orientation within the ever-increasing amount of data and information is even more emphasised. By entering the digital age the functionality and usability of encyclopaedias are enhanced enormously. Digital technologies transformed the ways in which encyclopaedic knowledge is prepared, organised and presented, and more importantly facilitated its distribution, accessibility and usage (Jermen &amp; Jecić, 2018; Jermen &amp; Jecić, 2020).Professionally edited open access national encyclopaedias contribute to raising the level of public knowledge by dissemination of reliable and verified information in users’ mother tongue. They provide a connection between experts and average citizens, acting as an important science communication tool, and as such should be at the core of the research and didactic infrastructure of any modern society (Jecić &amp; Jermen, 2020). Furthermore, in fierce competition with various, often unreliable online information sources, they could also play an important role in the struggle against the speedy growth of disinformation and misinformation (Bentzen, 2018).As one of the prominent examples of the importance of encyclopedistics in the modern age is the very existence of the Miroslav Krleža Institute of Lexicography in Croatia, a publishing house and a scientific institution, which is defined in the governmental act as a “public institution of relevance for the Republic of Croatia''. With the mission to systematise and disseminate scientifically verified knowledge in the broadest span of scientific disciplines, its publications (encyclopaedias, encyclopaedic monographs, lexicons, dictionaries, etc.), targeted for a broader audience, as well as specialists, have been produced in collaboration with numerous high-profile researchers from academia since its foundation in 1950. Since 2008, the Institute has been developing freely accessible collections of digital encyclopaedic editions, which currently comprise approximately 270,000 articles. A great number of Institute’s editions (along with the additional digital content) that are available in open access surely contributes to their increased visibility (more than 15 million page views in 2022) and hence the potential for creating societal impact.This presentation aims to provide an overview of the development of lexicography and encyclopedistics in the digital environment, primarily from the perspective of the Miroslav Krleža Institute of Lexicography. It places special emphasis on the Institute's open access publishing efforts over the past 15 years. Considering the fact that there are still no dedicated open access publishing schemes for books in Croatia, and that open access still represents a relatively small part of the book publishing landscape in Europe (Gimenez-Toledo et al. 2022), the Institute's endeavours in this area have been rather innovative. Along with the dissemination of scientifically verified information, open access encyclopaedias give the possibilities of linking to the digital data and collections of other research and cultural institutions, thus serving as the important component of digital knowledge infrastructure (Jermen &amp; Jecić, 2018). Thanks to this increased connectivity, the Institute has taken part in several projects, initiatives, and communities, both in Croatia and abroad, which will be described in this presentation.

Association between health information seeking and behaviour change related to physical activity among Qatari adolescents

ABSTRACT This study aims to assess the influence of used information sources on behaviour change related to physical activity (PA). It analyses secondary data from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey conducted in 2017 among 1050 Qatari adolescents aged 13–19 years. Multivariable logistic regression accounting for survey design examined the association between the outcome (attempt to change PA) and interpersonal, online, traditional, and social media information sources. Adolescents who used information from interpersonal and online sources to attempt changing their behaviour had nine times (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.15–21.08) and nearly three times (95% CI: 1.50–4.27) higher odds of a change in PA behaviour, respectively. The estimated average marginal effects of using information from interpersonal and online sources were 46-percentage point and 16-percentage point increase in the probability of attempting PA behaviour change, respectively. Policymakers may benefit from this research in designing appropriate PA interventions that adapt multiple delivery approaches.

Online Activism and Political Knowledge among Nigerian Youth during the 2023 Elections: Analyzing the Role of Online Information Sources

This study appraises the nexus between online activism, political knowledge, and the mediating influence of diverse online information sources among Nigerian youth during the 2023 elections. Through an analysis of these relationships, this study contributes to a nuanced understanding of digital spaces' role in shaping young individuals' political awareness. Specifically, this study examines whether engagement in online activism during the 2023 Nigerian elections positively correlates with increased levels of political knowledge among Nigerian youth and whether the extent of exposure to diverse online information sources mediates the influence of engagement in online activism on political knowledge. This study employs a quantitative approach incorporating techniques such as Pearson’s correlation and mediation analysis. Data were collected through an online survey of 409 Nigerian youth aged 18–35. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between online activism and political knowledge, substantiating the hypothesis that active participation in digital advocacy enhances political awareness among Nigerian youths. Furthermore, mediation analysis showed that exposure to diverse online information sources mediates the relationship between engagement in online activism and political knowledge, emphasizing the role of online platforms as conduits for political information and awareness. These findings underscore the pivotal role of online platforms in shaping the political knowledge landscape of Nigerian youth during the 2023 elections.