Abstract
Background. Cancer patients and their family caregivers have extensive information needs. E-health information plays an important role in meeting these needs; however, evidence on its seeking patterns in Iran is limited. This study aimed to determine the pattern of E-health information seeking among cancer patients and their family caregivers.
Methods. This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2023 in two teaching hospitals affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. A total of 132 cancer patients and 132 family caregivers were included in the study using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a researcher-made checklist and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS version 21, with a significance level of P<0.05.
Results. Based on the results, 67.4% of patients and 81.8% of caregivers searched the Internet for health information, with caregivers spending more time using E-health resources weekly. Participants mainly used the Internet to obtain information about caring, symptoms, and prognosis, relying mostly on public sources. In patients, education level, type of insurance, and tablet use were associated with higher rate of use, whereas in caregivers, urban residence, no migration history, and positive attitudes toward the Internet were associated with greater use of E-health information.
Conclusion. E-health information use was considerable among participants; however, information seeking was mainly based on public sources. Several individual and social factors were associated with the level of use.
Practical Implications. Introducing credible digital resources and E-health literacy training may facilitate safer and more effective use of E-health information among cancer patients and their family caregivers.