Why Older People Seek Health Information Online: A Qualitative Study

Despite the increasing number of older adults’ growing need for health information, little is known about their motivation to seek online information. This exploratory qualitative study was conducted examine why adults required information through sources. In this content analysis, we purposefully approached 19 with age in range between 60–75 (63.78 ± 3.8 years) Tabriz, Iran. Data were collected via individual, semi-structured face-to-face interviews at a place and time convenient participants from October 2018 September 2019. We evaluated recorded data until saturation reached, using MAXQDA 10 software. Subsequently, four central motivational themes emerged including being self-reliant, achieving healthier life, seeking reliable sources accumulating Older based on needs expectations achieve optimal status. Our findings provide valuable nurses other care providers facilitate access trusting valid It further suggests that, consideration COVID-19 pandemic, fact-checking skills elderly identifying accessing credible should be addressed future literacy interventions.