Cancer patients' information seeking behaviour related to online electronic healthcare records

Hanife Rexhepi, Isto Huvila, Rose-Mharie Åhlfeldt, Åsa Cajander

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingConference contributionScientificpeer-review

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    Abstract

    Patients' online access to their EHR together with the rapid proliferation of medical information on the Internet has changed the way patients use the information to learn about their health. It is well documented that patients often turn to the Internet to find information about their health and care. However, little is known about patients' information seeking behaviour when using online EHRs. By using information horizons as an analytical tool this paper aims to investigate the information behaviour of cancer patients who have chosen to view their EHRs (readers) and to those who have not made that option (non-readers). Thirty interviews were conducted with patients. Based on information horizons, it seems that non-reading is associated with living in a narrower information world in comparison to readers. The findings do not suggest that the smallness would be a result of an active avoidance of information, or that it would be counterproductive for the patients.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the Eighteenth International Symposium for Health Information Management Research Kalmar, Sweden (Online) 17 - 18 October 2020
    EditorsPeter Bath, Päivi Jokela, Laura Sbaffi
    Place of PublicationKalmar and Sheffield
    PublisherLinnaeus University, University of Sheffield
    Pages103-110
    Number of pages8
    ISBN (Electronic)978-91-89081-09-3
    Publication statusPublished - 2020
    MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
    EventInternational Symposium for Health Information Management Research - Linnaeus university, Kalmar (online), Sweden
    Duration: 17 Oct 202018 Oct 2020

    Conference

    ConferenceInternational Symposium for Health Information Management Research
    Abbreviated titleiSHIMR
    Country/TerritorySweden
    CityKalmar (online)
    Period17/10/2018/10/20

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