title: Promoting the meaningful use of health information for New Zealand consumers.
abstract: A cornerstone of 'meaningful use' of health information is engaging consumers and their families. Yet for consumers to be engaged requires an informed population and therefore focus on consumer's health information needs. Reports indicated consumers want health information, yet little was known about their internet use or perception of electronic health information. This New Zealand study surveyed consumers to gain an understanding of their health information requirements. Some 1783 questionnaires were available for descriptive statistical analyses. The internet was the third most preferred source of health information. Two thirds of participants had used the internet to access health information, because of the speed of access and to find information before going to the doctor. There was little awareness or use of existing New Zealand-based online health resources. Study implications include promoting existing resources and increasing the use of electronic communication between consumers and healthcare providers as these are currently underutilized.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Honey
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Health Navigator New Zealand.
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bycroft
authors.affiliation: Business School, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Mary-Anne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raphael
mesh_terms: D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D063005:Health Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D062527:Meaningful Use / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009520:New Zealand