Patient information needs: Pre and Post consultation

Attfield, Simon J.; Adams, Anne and Blandford, Ann (2006). Patient information needs: Pre and Post consultation. Health Informatics Journal, 12(2) pp. 165–177.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1460458206063811

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a study of information seeking behaviour by National Health Service patients which explored motivational triggers for infor- mation needs. Previous research has highlighted the importance of contextual elements in users' changing information needs. This paper highlights how those needs may centre on specific events: in particular, a patient's consultation with their doctor. Patients initiate information seeking to assess whether they need clinical intervention, in preparation for the patient–doctor consultation and to verify the diagnosis or treatment stemming from that consultation. The study has revealed that having confidence in health practitioners is one key motiva- tion for information seeking. Another is a desire to use health service resources judiciously, efficiently and effectively.

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About

• Item ORO ID
• 16994
• Item Type
• Journal Item
• ISSN
• 1460-4582
• Keywords
• Digital Libraries; Information Needs; User Study; Patients; Health Information
• Academic Unit or School
• Institute of Educational Technology (IET)
• Research Group
• Centre for Research in Computing (CRC)
  Centre for Research in Education and Educational Technology (CREET)
• Depositing User
• Wendy Hunt