@Article{info:doi/10.2196/15148,
author="Aoun, Lydia
and Lakkis, Najla
and Antoun, Jumana",
title="Prevalence and Outcomes of Web-Based Health Information Seeking for Acute Symptoms: Cross-Sectional Study",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2020",
month="Jan",
day="10",
volume="22",
number="1",
pages="e15148",
keywords="internet; health information; acute symptoms; acute disease",
abstract="Background: The literature indicates that Web-based health information seeking is mostly used for seeking information on well-established diseases. However, only a few studies report health information seeking in the absence of a doctor's visit and in the context of acute symptoms. Objective: This survey aimed to estimate the prevalence of Web-based health information seeking for acute symptoms and the impact of such information on symptom management and health service utilization. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of 287 Lebanese adults (with a response rate of 18.5{\%} [54/291]) conducted between December 2016 and June 2017. The survey was answered by participants online or through phone-based interviews. Results: A total of 64.3{\%} of the participants (178/277) reported checking the internet for health information when they had an acute symptom. The rate of those who sought to use Web-based health information first when experiencing acute symptom(s) in the past 12 months was 19.2{\%} (25/130). In addition, 50{\%} (9/18) visited the doctor because of the obtained information, and the rest self-medicated or sought a pharmacist's advice; the majority (18/24, 75{\%}) improved within 3-4 days. Conclusions: Higher education level and trust in Web-based medical information were two major predictors of Web-based health information seeking for acute symptoms. Seeking Web-based health information first for acute symptoms is common and may lead to self-management by avoiding a visit to the physician. Physicians should encourage their patients to discuss Web-based health information and guide them toward trusted online websites. ",
issn="1438-8871",
doi="10.2196/15148",
url="https://www.jmir.org/2020/1/e15148",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/15148",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31922490"
}