Health Information Seeking Behavior and Perceived Source Trustworthiness in Public Health Students: A Pilot Study for Improving the Curriculum

Abstract

Purpose: The Internet is a key resource for college students seeking health information, but it is unclear how well students are trained to evaluate the quality of information accessed. This pilot study sought to determine the sources and critical appraisal of health information accessed by public health students enrolled in a midwestern university to assess and potentially revise the health information seeking skills training of students in the program. Methods: Researchers used five questions from an online 21-item questionnaire that included demographics, novel questions regarding personal sources of health information, and evaluations of the perceived trustworthiness of information from those sources. Students in the public health education program at a mid-sized, private, midwestern university were asked to complete the online questionnaire assessing their health information seeking behavior and appraisal of the information sources. Results: A total of 46 public health students provided a final response to the questionnaire. Results highlighted that perceived beliefs regarding trustworthiness of health information sources were highest for medical providers (76%) and evidence-based websites (71%), but least for social media (65%). However, those who used social media for health information also found it to be trustworthy. Conclusions: Overall, it seemed students were capable of identifying valid health information sources, but some program revisions are recommended to better develop health literacy skills in students. Recommendations: It is recommended that programs of public health/health education consider a self-assessment of this type within their own programs. Identifying where students access health information and how they determine its validity allows programs to tailor educational experiences to best fit the needs of students.