Health information seeking trust and knowledge adaptation : empirical evidence from Kuwait

Abstract EN

Aim of the Paper : with the explosion of digital information, the channel in which patients seek health information has changed extensively.

This study explores the use, trust, and knowledge adaptation of different online and offline sources of health information.

Study Design : using an online and offline survey methodology, data is analyzed using cross-tabulation procedures, followed by logistic regression models.

Sample and Data : a random sample of (506) residents of the Kuwaiti population is used.

Results : the Internet is now the primary trusted source of health information, even more so than physicians are.

In addition, the Internet has a stronger knowledge adaptation of health information as compared to physicians and other offline sources of information.

Conclusion : the study highlights the shifted role of the physician and the new role of the Internet as a trusted health information source.

Healthcare organizations should guide their efforts to manage better this new health information seeking behavior and guide physicians to be better informed.