Use and outcome of online health information services: a study among Scottish population
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on a research designed to find out how people in Scotland access and use online health information.
Design/methodology/approach
It is based on a survey of two sets of population in Glasgow – a group of 64 users from the general public and a group of 24 post graduate students from a university in Glasgow.
Findings
Use of the Internet for health information was found to be much lower in Scotland than in the previous UK studies particularly those using online surveys. It was noted that people searched online health information for themselves, family and friends. Healthy eating, exercise and alternative medicine were the most commonly sought topics. Approximately half the survey participants felt online health information influenced their treatment.
Originality/value
The study incorporates both Internet users and non‐users, as well as proficient internet users, and therefore provides a more balanced view.
Keywords
Citation
Harbour, J. and Chowdhury, G.G. (2007), "Use and outcome of online health information services: a study among Scottish population", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 63 No. 2, pp. 229-242. https://doi.org/10.1108/00220410710737196
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited