Health Information Seeking Behavior and Health Information Preferences Among Ethnically and Socioeconomically Diverse Patients and Communities: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Early recognition of ischemic heart disease (IHD) is important, yet, delays still occur due to low symptom recognition. Accessible information may improve symptom recognition, however, it is unclear how information should be provided to reach different populations. Hence, we studied he...

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Main Authors: Bryn Hummel, Dinah L. van Schalkwijk, Paula M. C. Mommersteeg, Irene G. M. van Valkengoed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Primary Care & Community Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319251332048
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author Bryn Hummel
Dinah L. van Schalkwijk
Paula M. C. Mommersteeg
Irene G. M. van Valkengoed
author_facet Bryn Hummel
Dinah L. van Schalkwijk
Paula M. C. Mommersteeg
Irene G. M. van Valkengoed
author_sort Bryn Hummel
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Early recognition of ischemic heart disease (IHD) is important, yet, delays still occur due to low symptom recognition. Accessible information may improve symptom recognition, however, it is unclear how information should be provided to reach different populations. Hence, we studied health information seeking behavior (HISB) and preferences, in ethnically-diverse women and men in the Netherlands. Methods: We conducted 31 patients interviews, seven key figure interviews and one focus group with key figures (community leaders and physicians), and eight focus groups with non-patients (N = 44) about HISB and health information preferences. We thematically analyzed the data using inductive coding. Results: We found minimal variation in HISB, as most patients did not seek information about symptoms. Participants required information about cardiac symptoms, risk factors, when to seek care, prevention, and navigating the Dutch healthcare system. Several information provision strategies emerged, with preferences varying somewhat across ethnic groups and age groups. Ethnic minority participants described a preference for culturally-sensitive community-based live information provision. Other strategies included media, social media, and native Dutch participants mentioned public spaces and healthcare settings. Conclusion: HISB was limited in this ethnically-diverse population. Different strategies may be employed to promote symptom recognition, particularly co-created culturally-sensitive interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-79872a084b5b4ae9b9c6e636d5d76b372025-08-20T03:49:42ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Primary Care & Community Health2150-13272025-04-011610.1177/21501319251332048Health Information Seeking Behavior and Health Information Preferences Among Ethnically and Socioeconomically Diverse Patients and Communities: A Qualitative StudyBryn Hummel0Dinah L. van Schalkwijk1Paula M. C. Mommersteeg2Irene G. M. van Valkengoed3Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, The NetherlandsTilburg University, The NetherlandsTilburg University, The NetherlandsAmsterdam UMC, Location AMC, The NetherlandsIntroduction: Early recognition of ischemic heart disease (IHD) is important, yet, delays still occur due to low symptom recognition. Accessible information may improve symptom recognition, however, it is unclear how information should be provided to reach different populations. Hence, we studied health information seeking behavior (HISB) and preferences, in ethnically-diverse women and men in the Netherlands. Methods: We conducted 31 patients interviews, seven key figure interviews and one focus group with key figures (community leaders and physicians), and eight focus groups with non-patients (N = 44) about HISB and health information preferences. We thematically analyzed the data using inductive coding. Results: We found minimal variation in HISB, as most patients did not seek information about symptoms. Participants required information about cardiac symptoms, risk factors, when to seek care, prevention, and navigating the Dutch healthcare system. Several information provision strategies emerged, with preferences varying somewhat across ethnic groups and age groups. Ethnic minority participants described a preference for culturally-sensitive community-based live information provision. Other strategies included media, social media, and native Dutch participants mentioned public spaces and healthcare settings. Conclusion: HISB was limited in this ethnically-diverse population. Different strategies may be employed to promote symptom recognition, particularly co-created culturally-sensitive interventions.https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319251332048
spellingShingle Bryn Hummel
Dinah L. van Schalkwijk
Paula M. C. Mommersteeg
Irene G. M. van Valkengoed
Health Information Seeking Behavior and Health Information Preferences Among Ethnically and Socioeconomically Diverse Patients and Communities: A Qualitative Study
Journal of Primary Care & Community Health
title Health Information Seeking Behavior and Health Information Preferences Among Ethnically and Socioeconomically Diverse Patients and Communities: A Qualitative Study
title_full Health Information Seeking Behavior and Health Information Preferences Among Ethnically and Socioeconomically Diverse Patients and Communities: A Qualitative Study
title_fullStr Health Information Seeking Behavior and Health Information Preferences Among Ethnically and Socioeconomically Diverse Patients and Communities: A Qualitative Study
title_full_unstemmed Health Information Seeking Behavior and Health Information Preferences Among Ethnically and Socioeconomically Diverse Patients and Communities: A Qualitative Study
title_short Health Information Seeking Behavior and Health Information Preferences Among Ethnically and Socioeconomically Diverse Patients and Communities: A Qualitative Study
title_sort health information seeking behavior and health information preferences among ethnically and socioeconomically diverse patients and communities a qualitative study
url https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319251332048
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