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What Is the Impact of the Internet on Decision-Making in Pregnancy? A Global Study.
- Source :
- Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care; Dec2011, Vol. 38 Issue 4, p336-345, 10p, 1 Diagram, 2 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Background: Women need access to evidence-based information to make informed choices in pregnancy. A search for health information is one of the major reasons that people worldwide access the Internet. Recent years have witnessed an increase in Internet usage by women seeking pregnancy-related information. The aim of this study was to build on previous quantitative studies to explore women's experiences and perceptions of using the Internet for retrieving pregnancy-related information, and its influence on their decision-making processes. Methods: This global study drew on the interpretive qualitative traditions together with a theoretical model on information seeking, adapted to understand Internet use in pregnancy and its role in relation to decision-making. Thirteen asynchronous online focus groups across five countries were conducted with 92 women who had accessed the Internet for pregnancy-related information over a 3-month period. Data were readily transferred and analyzed deductively. Results: The overall analysis indicates that the Internet is having a visible impact on women's decision making in regards to all aspects of their pregnancy. The key emergent theme was the great need for information. Four broad themes also emerged: 'validate information,''empowerment,''share experiences,' and 'assisted decision-making.' Women also reported how the Internet provided support, its negative and positive aspects, and as a source of accurate, timely information. Conclusion: Health professionals have a responsibility to acknowledge that women access the Internet for support and pregnancy-related information to assist in their decision-making. Health professionals must learn to work in partnership with women to guide them toward evidence-based websites and be prepared to discuss the ensuing information. (BIRTH 38:4 December 2011) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- ANALYSIS of variance
CONCEPTUAL structures
DECISION making
FOCUS groups
INTERNET
MATHEMATICAL models
PATIENTS
RESEARCH funding
STATISTICAL sampling
SELF-efficacy
EMAIL
INTERNET forums
QUALITATIVE research
THEORY
DATA analysis
ACCESS to information
INFORMATION-seeking behavior
THEMATIC analysis
INFORMATION needs
ATTITUDES of mothers
PREGNANCY
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 07307659
- Volume :
- 38
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 67460758
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-536X.2011.00488.x