The Effect of Health Care Users' Consumer Behaviors and Internet Health Information Searches on Patient Empowerment Level

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effect of consumer behaviors and health-related internet use on the level of patient empowerment during the use of health services and the mediating role of consumers' e-health literacy levels in this relationship.The population of the study consists of individuals with chronic diseases over 18 living in Turkey. As a sample, 342 people were reached, but 297 questionnaires were included in the analysis after data control was ensured. An online survey method was used to collect data. The questionnaire consists of a consumer scale, a patient empowerment scale, an e-health literacy scale, and questions about searching for health information online. The necessary analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling. It has been determined that participatory consumer behavior exhibited during the use of health services has a positive effect on patient empowerment, while avoidance consumer behavior has a negative impact. In addition, as a result of the mediation analysis; It has been concluded that e-health literacy has a mediating effect on the effect of health-related internet use on the level of patient empowerment. While the direct impact of health-related internet use on patient empowerment was negative, this effect was positive through e-health literacy. As a result, patients who are actively involved in the health system without being passive have higher patient empowerment levels. In addition, if the e-health literacy levels of the patients who use the internet for empowerment are high, the patient empowerment levels increase. Patients with low e-health literacy and seeking health information on the internet may exhibit behaviors that will adversely affect their health rather than empowerment.