A review of theory-driven models of trust in the online health context

Abstract

Generally speaking, theory-driven studies are more successful in producing a desired result than those missing the theoretical grounds. This paper aims to provide an informal assessment of theoretical foundations of trust models in online health context. After a review of literature, 12 theory-driven models were analysed in detail. The findings showed that previous models benefited from different theories within different disciplines (mostly from psychology). The technology acceptance model, the elaboration likelihood model, the theory of reasoned action and the health belief model were the most frequently used theoretical frameworks. The reviewed models were able to account for 23–69% of variance in dependent variables. In conclusion, although the health studies are very open to interdisciplinary theories, the inclusion of institutional and national cultural theories in future researches may enrich the current individualistic perspective with a broader context of society that jointly form trust behaviour and credibility judgements of health consumers in digital health environments.

Cultural Patterns of Information Source Use: A Global Study of 47 Countries

“…Likewise, a relatively recent review (Taras, Rowney, & Steel, ) concludes the effectiveness of his cultural dimensions in predicting the investigated variables and the predominance of HNCD in cultural studies (Taras et al, , p. 360). It has also been promoted within information studies (Wilson, ; Komlodi, ; Khosrowjerdi, , p. 202). Due to the undoubtingly wide disciplinary applicability and previous, but little tried, interest in the area of ISU we have chosen HNCD (Hofstede, ; Hofstede et al, ) for the cultural framework of the present study.…”

A Trust Framework for Online Research Data Services

“…In examining success factors for moving health promotion communities online, Sunderland et al [26] have noted that security and trust are particularly important to health communities, and that in designing online communities to match community needs, these two concepts need to be incorporated from the beginning. Khosrowjerdi [27] (p. 189) has reinforced that "access to and trust in accountable online information is vital in the health domain".…”

“…For his part, Khosrowjerdi [27] has reported on 12 theory-driven models of trust specifically in the online health context, the results of which have highlighted the complexity of health information-seeking behaviour.…”

A Novel Visual Recognition-basedAuthentication Model Using a Hybrid TrustTheme to Verify Provider Profilesfor Enhancing Information Assurancein Online Healthcare

“…According to a nationwide survey on Internet use, eight out of ten American adults search online for healthcare information [1]. More specifically, 83% of those surveyed indicated using the Internet to look up a particular disease or medical problem [11]. In short, there is a tremendous amount of online health information (OHI) available to the typical consumer and there are no standard mechanisms and regulations, including credibility standards for OHI, that embodies or characterizes how to make 'trust' decisions as online healthcare consumers [37].…”