title: Patient information needs: pre- and post-consultation.
abstract: This paper presents findings from a study of information seeking behaviour by National Health Service patients which explored motivational triggers for infor- mation needs. Previous research has highlighted the importance of contextual elements in users' changing information needs. This paper highlights how those needs may centre on specific events: in particular, a patient's consultation with their doctor. Patients initiate information seeking to assess whether they need clinical intervention, in preparation for the patient-doctor consultation and to verify the diagnosis or treatment stemming from that consultation. The study has revealed that having confidence in health practitioners is one key motiva- tion for information seeking. Another is a desire to use health service resources judiciously, efficiently and effectively.
authors.affiliation: UCLIC Remax House, 31-32 Alfred Place, London, UK. s.attfield@cs.ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Simon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Attfield
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blandford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008490:Medical Informatics; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation