Morahan-Martin Janet M
Department of Psychology, Bryant University, Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917-1284, USA.
Cyberpsychol Behav. 2004 Oct;7(5):497-510. doi: 10.1089/cpb.2004.7.497.
The Internet has become a favored source to find health information. Worldwide, about 4.5% of all Internet searches are for health-related information. However, research has found that the quality of online health information is mixed, which raises serious concerns about the impact of this information. This paper reviews relevant research to understand how health information on the Internet is retrieved, evaluated, and used. Most users of online health information are looking for information about specific health conditions because they or someone they know was diagnosed with a medical condition. They typically use general search engines to find online health information and enter short phrases, often misspelled. They seldom go beyond the first page of a search. Both their search and evaluation skills are limited although they are concerned about the quality of online health information. They avoid sites with overt commercialism, but often do not pay attention to indicators of credibility. Online health information is used to fill an information void which can enhance coping and self efficacy, affects health-related decisions and behavior of users and their friends and family, and is often discussed with health care providers. There are cross-cultural differences in the types of sites used as well as how online information is used. Based on the research reviewed in this paper, three major recommendations are suggested. Professionals should recommend sites. Professionals should promote more effective search and evaluation techniques. Professionals should be involved in developing and promoting uniform standards for health and mental health sites.
互联网已成为获取健康信息的热门来源。在全球范围内,所有互联网搜索中约有4.5%是关于健康相关信息的。然而,研究发现在线健康信息的质量参差不齐,这引发了人们对这些信息影响的严重担忧。本文回顾了相关研究,以了解互联网上的健康信息是如何被检索、评估和使用的。大多数在线健康信息用户在寻找有关特定健康状况的信息,因为他们自己或他们认识的人被诊断出患有某种疾病。他们通常使用通用搜索引擎来查找在线健康信息,并输入简短的短语,这些短语常常拼写错误。他们很少浏览搜索结果的第一页之外的内容。尽管他们关心在线健康信息的质量,但他们的搜索和评估技能都很有限。他们会避开带有明显商业气息的网站,但往往不关注可信度指标。在线健康信息被用来填补信息空白,这可以增强应对能力和自我效能感,影响用户及其朋友和家人与健康相关的决策和行为,并且经常会与医疗保健提供者进行讨论。在使用的网站类型以及在线信息的使用方式上存在跨文化差异。基于本文所回顾的研究,提出了三项主要建议。专业人员应推荐网站。专业人员应推广更有效的搜索和评估技术。专业人员应参与制定和推广针对健康和心理健康网站的统一标准。
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