Background: In a rapidly changing communication environment study of the communication preferences of different audience segments allows the selection of channels for health information to be tailored to the needs and characteristics of the audience. The purpose of the study is research the channels preferred for health information depending on the health status. Material and methods: A direct individual anonymous questionnaire was used, with a questionnaire on paper. The preferred channels for health information among 2979 persons over 20 years of age, from the 28 districts of the country, depending on their health status, were studied. The main statistical methods are: descriptive analysis, graphical analysis; variation analysis, Z-test to establish a significant difference. The results show significant differences in the choice of sources of health information between people with disease and people without disease. Physicians are the most commonly preferred health information channel, with a statistically significant difference depending on the health status (p<0,001). The Internet is twice as often preferred for health information by healthy people than by people with a disease (p<0.001). Television is a major channel for health information for people with a specific disease or medical problem, while healthy respondents more frequently prefer the Internet.
Andreassen HK, Trondsen M, Kummervold PE, Gammon D, Hjortdahl P. Patients Who Use E-Mediated Communication With Their Doctor- New Constructions of Trust in the Patient-Doctor Relationship. Qual Health Res. 2006;16:238–248. doi: 10.1177/1049732305284667.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM “Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer” Unit), Flash Eurobarometer 404 - European citizens’ digital health literacy, 2014. 20.05.2015.
Houston TK, Allison JJ. Users of Internet health information: differences by health status. J Med Internet Res. 2002 Apr-Nov; 4(2):E7.
Jadad AR. Promoting partnerships: challenges for the internet age. BMJ. 1999;319:761–4.
Leaffer T. Quality of health information on the internet. JAMA. 2001;286:2094–5.
Mitchell KJ, Becker-Blease KA, Finkelhor D. Inventory of Problematic Internet experiences Encountered in Clinical practice. Prof Psychol Res Pr. 2005;36:498–509.
Sadan B. Patient empowerment and the asymmetry of knowledge. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2002;90:514–8.
Skinner H, Biscope S, Poland B, Goldberg E. How adolescents use technology for health information: Implications for health professionals from focus group studies. J Med Internet Res. 2003;5:e32.
Street RL., Jr Mediated consumer-provider communication in cancer care: the empowering potential of new technologies. Patient Educ Couns. 2003;50:99–104.