Elena Link, Eva Baumann, Annemiek Linn, Andreas Fahr, Peter J. Schulz, Muna E. Abuzahra

Influencing Factors of Online Health Information Seeking in Selected European Countries

Introduction

Influencing factors of online health information seeking in selected european countries. Explore factors influencing online health information seeking (O-HISB) in Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, & Austria. Understand personal, health, & cognitive determinants to boost eHealth literacy.

Abstract

Patients’ participation in healthcare requires comprehensive health knowledge and can benefit from online health information seeking behaviours (O-HISB). The internet is a particularly vital source for seeking health-related information in many regions of the world. Therefore, we take a European cross-country comparative perspective on O-HISB. We aim to compare the importance of personal, health(care)-related, and cognitive determinants of using the internet for health-related purposes in four European countries. We conducted online surveys among the German, Swiss, Dutch, and Austrian public and described patterns of health information seeking online. The internet seemed to be a widely used source of health information in the four selected European countries. The explanation patterns of personal, health(care)-related, and cognitive factors differ by country and between selecting the internet as a source of health information and the frequency of online use. Using online media appeared to be more common for women and for current health problems. Respondents’ willingness and competencies are essential for online health information seeking. To prevent the increase of social and health-related disparities, there is an urgent need to support underprivileged population groups and increase motivations and eHealth literacy to use the internet for health-related purposes.

Review

This study addresses a highly relevant and timely topic concerning Online Health Information Seeking Behaviours (O-HISB) in the context of patient participation in healthcare. Given the internet's pervasive role as a health information source globally, the paper's cross-country comparative approach across four distinct European nations (Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Austria) is particularly valuable. The stated aim to compare personal, health(care)-related, and cognitive determinants of O-HISB provides a solid framework for understanding the complex factors at play, utilizing online surveys to gather public perspectives. The research reveals several important findings. Unsurprisingly, the internet is identified as a widely used source for health information across the selected countries. Crucially, the study highlights that the explanatory patterns for personal, health(care)-related, and cognitive factors vary significantly not only by country but also between the initial selection of the internet as a source and the frequency of its subsequent use. Specific demographic and situational insights emerge, indicating that online media use for health is more prevalent among women and in situations involving current health problems. Furthermore, the abstract underscores the critical role of respondents' willingness and competencies—implicitly eHealth literacy—as essential facilitators for effective online health information seeking. The implications drawn from this research are compelling and possess strong practical utility. The findings directly point to an urgent need for interventions aimed at supporting underprivileged population groups and enhancing motivations and eHealth literacy. This strategic focus is vital to mitigate the risk of increasing social and health-related disparities within these European contexts. The study's comparative nature offers valuable insights into regional nuances, suggesting that 'one-size-fits-all' approaches may be ineffective. Overall, this paper makes a significant contribution to understanding the multifaceted dynamics of O-HISB and provides a robust foundation for developing targeted public health policies and digital literacy initiatives.

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