Guendalina Graffigna1, Serena Barello2, Andrea Bonanomi3, Giuseppe Riva1. 1. Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy. 2. Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy. Electronic address: serena.barello@unicatt.it. 3. Department of Statistical Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify the variables affecting patients' online health information-seeking behaviours by examining the relationships between patient participation in their healthcare and online health information-seeking behaviours. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of Italian chronic patients (N=352) was conducted on patient's online health information-seeking behaviours and patient participation-related variables. Structural equation modeling analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis. RESULTS: This study showed how the healthcare professionals' ability to support chronic patients' autonomy affect patients' participation in their healthcare and patient's online health information-seeking behaviours. However, results do not confirm that the frequency of patients' online health-information seeking behavior has an impact on their adherence to medical prescriptions. CONCLUSION: Assuming a psychosocial perspective, we have discussed how patients' engagement - conceived as the level of their emotional elaboration of the health condition - affects the patients' ability to search for and manage online health information. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: To improve the effectiveness of patients' online health information-seeking behaviours and to enhance the effectiveness of technological interventions in this field, healthcare providers should target assessing and improving patient engagement and patient empowerment in their healthcare. It is important that health professionals acknowledge patients' online health information-seeking behaviours that they discuss the information offered by patients and guide them to reliable and accurate web sources.
OBJECTIVE: To identify the variables affecting patients' online health information-seeking behaviours by examining the relationships between patient participation in their healthcare and online health information-seeking behaviours. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of Italian chronic patients (N=352) was conducted on patient's online health information-seeking behaviours and patient participation-related variables. Structural equation modeling analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis. RESULTS: This study showed how the healthcare professionals' ability to support chronic patients' autonomy affect patients' participation in their healthcare and patient's online health information-seeking behaviours. However, results do not confirm that the frequency of patients' online health-information seeking behavior has an impact on their adherence to medical prescriptions. CONCLUSION: Assuming a psychosocial perspective, we have discussed how patients' engagement - conceived as the level of their emotional elaboration of the health condition - affects the patients' ability to search for and manage online health information. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: To improve the effectiveness of patients' online health information-seeking behaviours and to enhance the effectiveness of technological interventions in this field, healthcare providers should target assessing and improving patient engagement and patient empowerment in their healthcare. It is important that health professionals acknowledge patients' online health information-seeking behaviours that they discuss the information offered by patients and guide them to reliable and accurate web sources.
Authors: W Scott Comulada; Cameron Goldbeck; Ellen Almirol; Heather J Gunn; Manuel A Ocasio; M Isabel Fernández; Elizabeth Mayfield Arnold; Adriana Romero-Espinoza; Stacey Urauchi; Wilson Ramos; Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus; Jeffrey D Klausner; Dallas Swendeman Journal: Prev Sci Date: 2021-05-11
Authors: Kate Furness; Mitchell N Sarkies; Catherine E Huggins; Daniel Croagh; Terry P Haines Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2020-06-23 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Guendalina Graffigna; Serena Barello; Giuseppe Riva; Massimo Corbo; Gianfranco Damiani; Primiano Iannone; Albino Claudio Bosio; Walter Ricciardi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-06-11 Impact factor: 3.390