%0 Journal Article
%@ 1438-8871
%I JMIR Publications
%V 22
%N 1
%P e15148
%T Prevalence and Outcomes of Web-Based Health Information Seeking for Acute Symptoms: Cross-Sectional Study
%A Aoun,Lydia
%A Lakkis,Najla
%A Antoun,Jumana
%+ Department of Family Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon, 961 1350000 ext 3049, ja46@aub.edu.lb
%K internet
%K health information
%K acute symptoms
%K acute disease
%D 2020
%7 10.1.2020
%9 Original Paper
%J J Med Internet Res
%G English
%X 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. 
%M 31922490
%R 10.2196/15148
%U https://www.jmir.org/2020/1/e15148
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/15148
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31922490