文章基本信息
- 标题：Lay information mediary behavior uncovered: exploring how nonprofessionals seek health information for themselves and others online
- 本地全文：下载
- 作者：Jennie A. Abrahamson ; Karen E. Fisher ; Anne G. Turner 等
- 期刊名称：Journal of the Medical Library Association
- 印刷版ISSN：1536-5050
- 出版年度：2008
- 卷号：96
- 期号：04
- 页码：310-310–323
- DOI：10.3163/1536-5050.96.4.006
- 出版社：Medical Library Association
- 摘要：Objectives: This research studied
motivations for, barriers to, and effects of online health information seeking
and explored lay information mediary behavior (LIMB) characteristics in the
consumer health information domain. Lay information mediaries (LIMs) seek
information on behalf or because of others, without necessarily being asked to
do so or engaging in follow up, and have represented more than 50% of health
information seekers in prior studies.
Methods: A web-based survey was posted on NC Health Info (NCHI) with 211 respondents, self-identified per the information need that brought them to NCHI as 20% LIMs (n
=43), 58% direct users (n=122), and 22% health or
information providers (n=46).
Follow-up telephone interviews were performed with 10% (n=21). Interview analysis focused
on lay participants (n=15 LIMs
and direct users combined). Interviewees were reclassified post-survey as 12
LIMs and 3 direct users when studied information behavior extended beyond NCHI
search. Interview data were analyzed using grounded theory approach.
Results: Surveyed LIMs were 77% female (n
=33) and searched on behalf or
because of family members (81%, n=35) and people they felt
“extremely close” to (77%, n=33). LIMs
reported various information seeking barriers “sometimes” to “often.” LIMs
searched mostly without prompting (51%, n=22). Interview results
triangulated survey findings regarding gender, tie strength, and prompting.
Conclusions: LIMB may be related to gender and relationship tie strength and appears more internally than externally motivated. Further LIMB research is warranted.
