Lay information mediary behavior uncovered: exploring how nonprofessionals seek health information for themselves and others online.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This research studied motivations for, barriers to, and effects of online health information seeking and explored lay information mediary behavior (LIMB) characteristics in the consumer health information domain. Lay information mediaries (LIMs) seek information on behalf or because of others, without necessarily being asked to do so or engaging in follow up, and have represented more than 50% of health information seekers in prior studies.

Methods

A web-based survey was posted on NC Health Info (NCHI) with 211 respondents, self-identified per the information need that brought them to NCHI as 20% LIMs (n = 43), 58% direct users (n = 122), and 22% health or information providers (n = 46). Follow-up telephone interviews were performed with 10% (n = 21). Interview an

SUBMITTER: Abrahamson JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2568838 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature