540100 research-article2014
WJNXXX10.1177/0193945914540100Western Journal of Nursing Research
Midwest Nursing Research Society PhD Student Award Abstract
Internet Health Information Seeking (IHIS): An Integrative Review of the Literature
Western Journal of Nursing Research 2014, Vol. 36(10) 1376–1377 © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0193945914540100 wjn.sagepub.com
The Internet has the capacity to meet a variety of needs. Patients who frequently use the Internet to search for health information may be more likely to improve health behaviors. Yet, the literature is scant regarding patient preferences for Internet health information seeking (IHIS): who prefers to engage in IHIS and why; and what needs IHIS meets. The purpose of this study was to identify specific preferences related to IHIS and synthesize findings across studies. A literature search was conducted in 15 databases: ERIC, Communications Abstracts, Communication and Mass Media Complete, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, EconLit, Sociological Abstracts, LISA, Medline, LISTA, Business Abstracts, and Social Sciences Abstracts. Inclusion criteria: Studies examined (a) selfinitiated seeking, (b) patient preferences, and (c) at least one outcome. Exclusion criteria: did not examine self-initiated IHIS or patient perspective, did not include outcomes, or written in a language other than English. The search yielded 447 publications (218 duplicates). Two hundred twenty-nine titles and abstracts were reviewed to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria; 149 abstracts were excluded. Eighty studies were reviewed in their entirety; 68 were excluded, as they did not meet criteria for inclusion. A final number of 12 publications were included in the review. Each data-based study (9) was entered into an evidence table. Findings were reviewed to identify themes that were consistent across studies. IHIS was preferred because it was easy to search, was not limited by time, and contained a variety of content. Needs were (a) to find and understand health information on current condition, available treatment, and what to expect in the future, and (b) to meet emotional demands to feel in control, confident, and comfortable with decisions made to manage one’s condition. Most participants who sought health information on the Internet were young, non-Hispanic, White women seeking information on cancer. Nurses are well positioned to encourage IHIS and facilitate use of the Internet to obtain quality health information. Nurse scientists have the opportunity to develop strategies to tailor Internet health
Downloaded from wjn.sagepub.com at Brunel University London on March 10, 2015
1377
Jones et al.
information to the aforementioned preferences and needs, and to assist in delivery of quality Internet health information to diverse populations. Lenette M. Jones, MS, RN, ACNS-BC School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA Tiffany C. E. Veinot, MLS, PhD School of Information, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA Susan J. Pressler, PhD, RN Julia S. Seng, PhD, RN Alecia M. McCall, PhD, RN Dena Fernandez, MS, RN Patricia W. Coleman-Burns, PhD, MA School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
Downloaded from wjn.sagepub.com at Brunel University London on March 10, 2015
WJNXXX10.1177/0193945914540100Western Journal of Nursing Research
Midwest Nursing Research Society PhD Student Award Abstract
Internet Health Information Seeking (IHIS): An Integrative Review of the Literature
Western Journal of Nursing Research 2014, Vol. 36(10) 1376–1377 © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0193945914540100 wjn.sagepub.com
The Internet has the capacity to meet a variety of needs. Patients who frequently use the Internet to search for health information may be more likely to improve health behaviors. Yet, the literature is scant regarding patient preferences for Internet health information seeking (IHIS): who prefers to engage in IHIS and why; and what needs IHIS meets. The purpose of this study was to identify specific preferences related to IHIS and synthesize findings across studies. A literature search was conducted in 15 databases: ERIC, Communications Abstracts, Communication and Mass Media Complete, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, EconLit, Sociological Abstracts, LISA, Medline, LISTA, Business Abstracts, and Social Sciences Abstracts. Inclusion criteria: Studies examined (a) selfinitiated seeking, (b) patient preferences, and (c) at least one outcome. Exclusion criteria: did not examine self-initiated IHIS or patient perspective, did not include outcomes, or written in a language other than English. The search yielded 447 publications (218 duplicates). Two hundred twenty-nine titles and abstracts were reviewed to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria; 149 abstracts were excluded. Eighty studies were reviewed in their entirety; 68 were excluded, as they did not meet criteria for inclusion. A final number of 12 publications were included in the review. Each data-based study (9) was entered into an evidence table. Findings were reviewed to identify themes that were consistent across studies. IHIS was preferred because it was easy to search, was not limited by time, and contained a variety of content. Needs were (a) to find and understand health information on current condition, available treatment, and what to expect in the future, and (b) to meet emotional demands to feel in control, confident, and comfortable with decisions made to manage one’s condition. Most participants who sought health information on the Internet were young, non-Hispanic, White women seeking information on cancer. Nurses are well positioned to encourage IHIS and facilitate use of the Internet to obtain quality health information. Nurse scientists have the opportunity to develop strategies to tailor Internet health
Downloaded from wjn.sagepub.com at Brunel University London on March 10, 2015
1377
Jones et al.
information to the aforementioned preferences and needs, and to assist in delivery of quality Internet health information to diverse populations. Lenette M. Jones, MS, RN, ACNS-BC School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA Tiffany C. E. Veinot, MLS, PhD School of Information, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA Susan J. Pressler, PhD, RN Julia S. Seng, PhD, RN Alecia M. McCall, PhD, RN Dena Fernandez, MS, RN Patricia W. Coleman-Burns, PhD, MA School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
Downloaded from wjn.sagepub.com at Brunel University London on March 10, 2015
