Research On Online Health Information Behavior Patterns Of Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients

Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the online health information behaviors of patients diagnosed with breast cancer ≤1 month and not yet treated,to indicate the antecedents,characteristics and outcomes of a range of behaviors,and to construct a model of the online health information behavior of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.Method In this study,32 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients(diagnosed less than 1month ago and not receiving any treatment)were selected by convenience sampling,theoretical sampling and differential sampling from August 2021 to May 2022 in the Department of Breast Surgery of a tertiary hospital in Anhui Province using a grounded theory.Through semi-structured face-to-face in-depth interviews,we understood their experiences of searching,evaluating and utilizing online health information,explored the antecedents,characteristics and consequences of the behaviors,analyzed the problems in this process and formed a theoretical model.The entire interview was recorded,and the recordings were transcribed and proofread by two researchers.The basic information was entered using Microsoft Excel 2019,and textual information was analyzed using Nvivo 12.0 qualitative research analysis software.The interview data were coded in a three-level way of proceduralised grounded theory,along with dimensional analysis and continuous comparisons to gradually form classes,and finally,a theoretical model of online health information behavior of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients was constructed.Literature reading,memo writing,and group discussions were conducted throughout the research.Result After the three-level coding and analysis,the final model of online health information behavior of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients was formed.The complete online health information behaviors(core categories)of patients during the period from breast cancer diagnosis to treatment included the following aspects:(1)information acquisition behavior,including active information search,avoidance of information and encounter information;(2)information evaluation behaviors,including active evaluation and no evaluation;(3)information processing behaviors,including information rejection,information storage and information utilization;(4)information processing outcomes,including termination of search information and continuous search information.The behavior patterns indicated that newly diagnosed breast cancer patients actively searched for online health information under the influence of motivational factors including perceived disease threat or knowledge demand;or encountered information under the influence of external factors;they may also avoid information due to perceived fear,limited education level,caught in habit,and doubted about the quality of information.The patients evaluated the information through self-perception,comparative judgment,and professional verification.Based on the evaluation results,patients made use of the beneficial information,which was manifested in personal practice and participation in decision-making,or absorbed the information stored in the brain to increase knowledge.Patients would discard information if they thought it was false or inconsistent with their condition.Some patients thought they were not qualified to evaluate the information and simply stored the information.Throughout the diagnosis period,patients would stop searching for online health information under the influence of emotions,social influence,responsibility transfer,and needs satisfaction;or they continue to search for online health information to meet information needs or prepare for follow-up treatment.Conclusion This study constructed an online health information behavior patterns for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.The findings will help clinical care providers understand the complete online health information behavior process of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients,discover entry points for information behavior interventions,and develop targeted information behavior interventions to help patients improve their ehealth literacy,enhance their decision-making ability and information utilization effectiveness,and promote their recovery.