Patients’ perspectives on the quality of online patient education materials: A qualitative study
نویسندگان
1 Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Clinical Informationist Research Group, Health Information Technology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4 Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Health Management and Economics Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5 Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
doi
چکیده
BACKGROUND: Access to online patient education information can lead to more effective self‑careand disease management. However, the large amount of online information provided throughunknown or unreliable sources can challenge patients to trust and use this information. This studywas designed to examine the opinions of Iranian gastrointestinal patients about the quality of onlineinformation used.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis. Datawere gathered via a semi‑structured interview with 29 gastrointestinal patients, and data analysiswas performed by qualitative content analysis using open coding with MAXQDA 2018 software.RESULTS: Based on the study, 22 codes were extracted in nine subcategories named as: “Emphasison the identity of providers,” “Nature of online information,” “Distrust on online information,” “Poorquality of information,” “Giving misinformation,” “False impact,” “Improve communication,” “Positiveeffect on the patient,” “Better Diagnosis.”CONCLUSIONS: In the current situation, Iranian patients are not confident enough about the qualityof available online information. They believe that the use of current poor‑quality information hasnegative consequences. However, they tend to use online patient education materials are produced inPersian by reputable scientific authorities. Using online information can increase patients’ knowledgeand lead to better communication with medical staff and other similar patients. They can use thisinformation for self‑care with more confidence, and such an approach can also have significantbenefits for the national health system.
