title: Information seeking by parents of children with physical disabilities: An exploratory qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evidence suggests that parents of children with disabilities feel that not all their information needs are being met, but it remains unclear how parents try to fill these information gaps.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to describe how parents of children with physical disabilities search for and evaluate information.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 parents of children with a disability, aged 1.5-21 years. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was much variation in information needs between parents. Parents used different sources, depending on the type of information needed, the most important being healthcare professionals, peers, and websites. Peers played an important role in information provision and were the preferred source of experience-based knowledge and support. The Internet is a widely used medium to search for information and to access various sources. There was a general preference for closed Internet communities for peer contact. Information was commonly evaluated by comparing sources.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parents use different sources for different information needs, and evaluate information by comparing them. Healthcare professionals and parents can support each other in locating and evaluating information including experience-based knowledge. Healthcare professionals should guide parents in their search for information and experience-based knowledge from peers.
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Alsem
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ausems
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verhoef
authors.affiliation: Department of Child, Family & Education Studies, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jongmans
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J M A
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Meily-Visser
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: m.ketelaar@dehoogstraat.nl.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ketelaar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Disabilities; Experience-based information; Information seeking; Internet; Parents