Cari Merkley
Age and Context Sensitivity Associated with Reduced Success in Finding Health Information Online
Mount Royal University
review ofx0d agree e king c castro c wiley amp borzekowski l g 2015 got page age cognitive style study online health information seeking journal medical internet research 173 e79 httpdxdoiorg102196jmir3352 x0d x0d objective determine extent age cognitive style influence individuals ability successfully locate health information onlinex0d x0d design quantitative study employing scales regression analysisx0d x0d setting school public health school medicine two universities united states americax0d x0d subjects 346 men women 35 years olderx0d x0d methods participants online health study ohs recruited community study sites using stratified sampling screened webbased tool ensure necessary level digital literacy complete study tasks enrolled participants completed rapid estimate adult literacy medicine realm measure health literacy witkin group embedded figures test geft determine cognitive style labelled researchers context sensitive context independent participants asked search online answers six specific questions hearthealthy diets flu vaccinations alternative medicine memory genetic testing assistive medical technology skin cancer 15 minutes search time allowed question participants reported answers search later assigned scores accuracy specificity combined two scores used measure success researchers used stata 11 statistical software run logistic regression ordinal logistic regression generalized linear models data order predict variables associated success search tasksx0d x0d main results 323 346 participants completed study tasks data formed basis analysis average participants correctly answered 41 6 questions participants provided accurate successful answers question hearthealthy foods least accurate answers question seasonal flu shots least successful answering question herbal supplements memory across models older participants less likely successful locating answers questions younger participants even controlling variables measured study particular older participants difficulty question medical technology required use mapping overall models suggest higher levels education greater daily internet use higher health literacy associated greater success search tasks extent varied question question exception case education question relating herbal supplements memory participants higher levels education likely score poorly responses participants whose cognitive style found context sensitive less likely find information needed online searches context independent particularly questions relating hearthealthy diet skin cancer medical technologyx0d x0d conclusion study suggests age cognitive style level health literacy daily internet use prior education important variables determining whether individual successfully take advantage increasing amount health information available internet specific approaches web design could used improve success rate context sensitive greater support direction reputable online health sources medical information professionals could assist less health literate