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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2015

Open Access 01-06-2015 | Research article

Studies analysing the need for health-related information in Germany - a systematic review

Authors: Dawid Pieper, Fabian Jülich, Sunya-Lee Antoine, Christina Bächle, Nadja Chernyak, Jutta Genz, Michaela Eikermann, Andrea Icks

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Exploring health-related information needs is necessary to better tailor information. However, there is a lack of systematic knowledge on how and in which groups information needs has been assessed, and which information needs have been identified. We aimed to assess the methodology of studies used to assess information needs, as well as the topics and extent of health-related information needs and associated factors in Germany.

Methods

A systematic search was performed in Medline, Embase, Psycinfo, and all databases of the Cochrane Library. All studies investigating health-related information needs in patients, relatives, and the general population in Germany that were published between 2000 and 2012 in German or English were included. Descriptive content analysis was based on predefined categories.

Results

We identified 19 studies. Most studies addressed cancer or rheumatic disease. Methods used were highly heterogeneous. Apart from common topics such as treatment, diagnosis, prevention and health promotion, etiology and prognosis, high interest ratings were also found in more specific topics such as complementary and alternative medicine or nutrition. Information needs were notable in all surveyed patient groups, relatives, and samples of the general population. Younger age, shorter duration of illness, poorer health status and higher anxiety and depression scores appeared to be associated with higher information needs.

Conclusion

Knowledge about information needs is still scarce. Assuming the importance of comprehensive information to enable people to participate in health-related decisions, further systematic research is required.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Studies analysing the need for health-related information in Germany - a systematic review
Authors
Dawid Pieper
Fabian Jülich
Sunya-Lee Antoine
Christina Bächle
Nadja Chernyak
Jutta Genz
Michaela Eikermann
Andrea Icks
Publication date
01-06-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1076-9

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