Study: Online health-information-seeking behaviours in people with different health statuses
A new study explores individual predictors of online health-information-seeking behaviours and compares relevant predictors in groups of people with different health statuses.
Authors say a shortcoming of existing theories is that most models focus on very specific health conditions such as cancer.
Their findings indicate attitudes toward seeking health information online and risk perceptions are of central importance for online health-information-seeking behaviour across different health conditions.
Predictors such as self-efficacy and perceived knowledge insufficiency play a context-dependent role.
They are more influential when individuals are facing health threats and the search for health information is of higher personal relevance and urgency.
Authors say the findings can be understood as the first step to develop a generalised theory of online health-information-seeking behaviour.
New interactive list of resources published
PIF member Macmillan Cancer Support has published a new PDF listing all its patient information in all formats in one place.
The PDF groups content into different times of need, allowing users to search and find key content.
It can be used by healthcare professionals to help support patients and direct them to trusted information.
The list will be updated every three months.
Infodemic management 101
The infodemic management team at WHO has launched a new free OpenWHO course – Infodemic Management 101.
The introductory course is for anyone interested in understanding what an infodemic is, how it dramatically affects public health, and what we can do about it now and into the future.
Currently available in English, the self-paced course introduces infodemic management to participants across five modules.
It is estimated to take approximately four hours to complete.
After completing a final quiz, participants receive a record of achievement and a sharable digital badge.
UK at 'critical moment' to secure young children's health
A Nuffield Foundation review explores improvements in young children’s health over the last 20 years and highlights areas where the situation has deteriorated.
The report calls for research to address key data and evidence gaps in relation to mental health and wellbeing, respiratory health, and how the associations between poor health and place, ethnicity, and level of deprivation intersect, compound and accumulate.
Other actions recommended to secure the future of young children's health include:
- A reassessment of whether young children are receiving adequate universal healthcare services.
- Further development of integrated services that meet both the health and non-health needs of young children and their families.
- Addressing child poverty and, in turn, address health inequalities between ethnic groups caused by longstanding inequalities and structural racism.
Event: Introduction to Digital Accessibility
AbilityNet is hosting a free online training session introducing the basics of digital accessibility.
The event takes place from 10am-11.30am on Wednesday 19 January 2022.
All tickets are free but donations are welcome to support AbilityNet's charitable work.
Occupational therapy Long Covid guides
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists has published two new quick guides about occupational therapy and long COVID.
One of the guides covers Long Covid in adults and the other in children.
The guides have been written for occupational therapists working in specialist Long Covid services and in other acute, primary, secondary and community settings.
They are also relevant to service managers and commissioners and for parents, carers and families of people affected by Long Covid.
BMA PLG patient information awards application deadline extended
The application deadline for the BMA PLG patient information awards 2022 has been extended.
The new closing date for applications is Friday 7 January 2022.
High-quality, accessible, and well-designed patient information is recognised at the awards.
Click on the link below for more information and to apply.
Personalised care in mental health support for disadvantaged children and young people
A new report by the National Children's Bureau says help which is flexible and tailored to young people’s specific needs, improves treatment and responds effectively to individual’s lived experiences and challenges.
Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds face a range of significant barriers to accessing support.
They often lack awareness of the options open to them, and digital poverty can restrict their access to opportunities.
Children said a personalised care approach worked best to reduce loneliness and isolation, improve access to education and training, and provide practical help.
Second Humans of Scotland book published
A second collection of stories from across Scotland has been published by the ALLIANCE.
Humans of Scotland highlights the realities faced by disabled people, people living with long-term conditions and unpaid carers during the pandemic.
It also captures stories from staff working in the NHS in Scotland and in the country’s health and social care third sector.