Trends in patient information preferences and acquisition

Area of Science:

• Health communication
• Information science
• Cancer research

Background:

• Americans access health information from diverse sources, including the internet.
• Evolving public trust in online information may influence cancer information-seeking behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze longitudinal trends in cancer information-seeking preferences and behaviors.
• Utilize data from three National Cancer Institute Health Information National Trends Surveys (HINTS).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of HINTS data from 2003, 2005, and 2007.
• Examined frequency distributions, percentages, and variability.
• Presented findings by age group, information source, and trust levels.

Main Results:

• Observed shifts in patient cancer information-seeking preferences and behaviors between 2003-2007.
• Libraries showed increasing popularity as a cancer information source.
• Internet use for cancer information surpassed healthcare providers by 2007.

Conclusions:

• Older adults increasingly use internet sources over healthcare providers for cancer information.
• Emphasized the need for all patients to access reliable cancer information resources.
• Highlighted the importance of trustworthy information regardless of the source.