title: The role of provider-patient communication and trust in online sources in Internet use for health-related activities.
abstract: Provider-patient communication is an important factor influencing patients' satisfaction and health outcomes. This study draws upon the uses and gratification theory to examine how individuals' perception of communication with healthcare providers is associated with their Internet use for health-related activities. Using the data from the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), we found that as individuals perceived their communication with providers to be less patient-centered, they were more likely to engage in various types of online health activities, such as using websites for healthy lifestyles, searching for healthcare providers, and seeking health information. Trust in online health information was also found to be a significant predictor of online health activities. The results of this study emphasized the important role of provider-patient communication in motivating individuals to turn to the Internet for health purposes.
authors.affiliation: Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Georgia, 120 Hooper Street, Athens, GA 30602-3018, USA. jiranhou@uga.edu
authors.forename: Jiran
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Minsun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shim
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D035502:Trust; D014481:United States