Influencing Factors of Online Health Information Seeking in Selected European Countries: Analysis of Country Specifics

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

doi:10.47368/ejhc.2021.002

Influencing Factors of Online Health Information Seeking in Selected European Countries

Analysis of Country Specifics

Authors

Elena Link Department of Journalism and Communication Research Hanover University of Music, Drama, and Media https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6861-5288
Eva Baumann Department of Journalism and Communication Research, Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2357-2138
Annemiek Linn Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0912-3712
Andreas Fahr Department of Mass Media and Communication Research, University of Fribourg https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8455-3045
Peter J. Schulz Institute of Communication & Health, University of Lugano
Muna E. Abuzahra Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5928-0129

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47368/ejhc.2021.002

Keywords:

online health information seeking, influencing factors, Europe, cross-country perspective, 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.

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Published

19.05.2021

How to Cite

Link, E., Baumann, E., Linn, A., Fahr, A., Schulz, P. J., & Abuzahra, M. E. (2021). Influencing Factors of Online Health Information Seeking in Selected European Countries: Analysis of Country Specifics. European Journal of Health Communication, 2(1), 29–55. https://doi.org/10.47368/ejhc.2021.002

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Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2021)

Section

Original Research Paper

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