The model of online health information-seeking behavior among older adults

Introduction: Although age-related changes have caused more and different information needs in the older adults, their participation in online search is low. This study aimed to explore the process of online health information-seeking (OHIS) in the older adults. Methods: The current qualitative stud...

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Main Authors: Sara Pourrazavi, Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tabriz: Hamid Allahverdipour, 2024- 2024-03-01
Series:BioSocial Health Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://biosocialhealthjournal.com/PDF/bshj-1-33.pdf
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author Sara Pourrazavi
Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi
author_facet Sara Pourrazavi
Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi
author_sort Sara Pourrazavi
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Although age-related changes have caused more and different information needs in the older adults, their participation in online search is low. This study aimed to explore the process of online health information-seeking (OHIS) in the older adults. Methods: The current qualitative study was conducted through applying a grounded theory approach using Corbin and Strauss method in Tabriz from 2018 to 2019. Adopting a purposive and theoretical sampling method 19 older persons, 2 members of their family, a doctor, a psychologist, 4 gerontologists, and a health education specialist participated in this study. In-depth individual interviews were used as the main method of data collection. Results: This study indicated that the core phenomenon in the OHIS process was "struggling for healthy survival". Therefore, older people tried to identify and choose strategies to relying on yourself in taking care of their health. Avoidance of dependence as a contextual factor influenced their choice. Finally, this complex process led to OHIS. Conclusion: This study provides important insights for healthcare professionals and introduces some strategic implications for improving older people’s access to appropriate health information. The OHIS theory presented in this study is a potentially valuable tool for policymakers to take measures to support older people in their self-care.
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spelling doaj-art-98f5536715da4b59be4d42b934f7ed612025-02-06T10:30:14ZengTabriz: Hamid Allahverdipour, 2024-BioSocial Health Journal3060-62682024-03-0111334010.34172/bshj.1bshj-1The model of online health information-seeking behavior among older adultsSara Pourrazavi0Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi1Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranDepartment of Psychiatry, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California, USAIntroduction: Although age-related changes have caused more and different information needs in the older adults, their participation in online search is low. This study aimed to explore the process of online health information-seeking (OHIS) in the older adults. Methods: The current qualitative study was conducted through applying a grounded theory approach using Corbin and Strauss method in Tabriz from 2018 to 2019. Adopting a purposive and theoretical sampling method 19 older persons, 2 members of their family, a doctor, a psychologist, 4 gerontologists, and a health education specialist participated in this study. In-depth individual interviews were used as the main method of data collection. Results: This study indicated that the core phenomenon in the OHIS process was "struggling for healthy survival". Therefore, older people tried to identify and choose strategies to relying on yourself in taking care of their health. Avoidance of dependence as a contextual factor influenced their choice. Finally, this complex process led to OHIS. Conclusion: This study provides important insights for healthcare professionals and introduces some strategic implications for improving older people’s access to appropriate health information. The OHIS theory presented in this study is a potentially valuable tool for policymakers to take measures to support older people in their self-care.https://biosocialhealthjournal.com/PDF/bshj-1-33.pdfinformation seeking behaviordigital healthhealth information managementinternetagedgrounded theory
spellingShingle Sara Pourrazavi
Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi
The model of online health information-seeking behavior among older adults
BioSocial Health Journal
information seeking behavior
digital health
health information management
internet
aged
grounded theory
title The model of online health information-seeking behavior among older adults
title_full The model of online health information-seeking behavior among older adults
title_fullStr The model of online health information-seeking behavior among older adults
title_full_unstemmed The model of online health information-seeking behavior among older adults
title_short The model of online health information-seeking behavior among older adults
title_sort model of online health information seeking behavior among older adults
topic information seeking behavior
digital health
health information management
internet
aged
grounded theory
url https://biosocialhealthjournal.com/PDF/bshj-1-33.pdf
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