JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The use of web-based methods to seek health information is increasing in popularity. As web-based health information (WHI)-seeking affects health-related decision support and chronic symptom self-management, WHI-seeking from online sources may impact health care decisions and outcomes. Little is known about whether WHI-seeking impacts the frequency at which patients engage with healthcare providers.

Objective:

To evaluate and generate hypotheses about the associations between the use of web-based methods to seek information about one’s own health and the time since last engaging with a healthcare provider about one’s own health.

Methods:

We analyzed data from U.S. adults participating in the nationally representative Tufts Equity in Health, Wealth, and Civic Engagement Survey (n = 1034). Bivariate associations between demographic characteristics and health information-seeking methods were assessed with Pearson chi-squared tests. Bivariate associations of Medical Mistrust Index (MMI) scores with each health information-seeking method and time since provider engagement were assessed with F-tests and adjusted Wald tests. We fit a multivariable logistic regression model to assess the association between WHI-seeking within the 12 months prior to survey (alone or in combination with provider-based methods versus provider only) and engagement with a provider more than one year ago at the time of survey, adjusting for age, race and ethnicity, sex, education, insurance coverage, and MMI.

Results:

Age, race and ethnicity, educational attainment, health insurance source, MMI, and time since provider engagement were each significantly associated with health information seeking method in bivariate analyses. Compared to using only provider-based health information seeking methods, using WHI-based methods alone or in combination with provider-based methods was associated with a 51% lower likelihood (odds ratio = 0.49; 95% confidence interval = 0.27, 0.87) of engaging with a provider within the previous year.

Conclusions:

Our findings from a nationally representative survey suggest that those who use WHI-seeking methods are more likely to experience longer time intervals since last provider engagement. Future research should consider the intent of a person’s visit with a provider, messaging regarding trust in the health system, methods of provider engagement, and specific web-based platforms for health information.