Type of Presentation
Individual paper/presentation
Type of Presentation
Individual paper/presentation (20 minute presentation)
Target Audience
Higher Education
Location
Room 210
Abstract
In the United States 72% of Internet users look online to find health information, with some being high quality and other information dangerous. The University of Minnesota is a land grant institution, and the Health Sciences Libraries have a strong outreach role, educating health information consumers across Minnesota about high quality resources. In 2016, we conducted a study at the Minnesota State Fair to identify where Minnesotans find online health information, how they use it, their confidence in assessing it, and what they think is missing. Convenience sampling yielded a total of 255 participants who valued the ability to access online health information and used it for a variety of purposes. A high percentage of participants thought they had the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate online health information, yet were uncertain about indicators of quality. They felt that current resources lacked personalization and evidence-based information. Our study recommendations on further educational outreach around online health information include promotion of interactive educational websites, partnerships with public libraries to host large-scale education sessions on the topic, and skill building around assessment of health websites.
Presentation Description
The University of Minnesota conducted a literacy study of online health consumption at the Minnesota State Fair. Results showed that participants were confident in their health literacy skills, but further analysis made evident opportunities for growth. This presentation focuses on recommendations for further educational outreach around online health information, including promotion of interactive educational websites, partnerships with public libraries to host large-scale education sessions on the topic, and skill building around assessment of health websites.
Session Goals
1. Describe health information literacy strengths and gaps in Minnesota
2. Outline educational outreach opportunities across the state
Keywords
online health information, health consumers, health literacy
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Recommended Citation
Hunt, Shanda; Theis-Mahon, Nicole; and Chew, Katherine, "Information Literacy of Online Health Consumers in Minnesota" (2018). Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy. 89.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gaintlit/2018/2018/89
Included in
Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Information Literacy Commons, Medicine and Health Sciences Commons
Information Literacy of Online Health Consumers in Minnesota
Room 210
In the United States 72% of Internet users look online to find health information, with some being high quality and other information dangerous. The University of Minnesota is a land grant institution, and the Health Sciences Libraries have a strong outreach role, educating health information consumers across Minnesota about high quality resources. In 2016, we conducted a study at the Minnesota State Fair to identify where Minnesotans find online health information, how they use it, their confidence in assessing it, and what they think is missing. Convenience sampling yielded a total of 255 participants who valued the ability to access online health information and used it for a variety of purposes. A high percentage of participants thought they had the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate online health information, yet were uncertain about indicators of quality. They felt that current resources lacked personalization and evidence-based information. Our study recommendations on further educational outreach around online health information include promotion of interactive educational websites, partnerships with public libraries to host large-scale education sessions on the topic, and skill building around assessment of health websites.
