Abstract
Introduction: Cancer patients seek information about their health and illness in many ways. Some seek information intensively while others avoid doing so. Through the cancer continuum, individuals may choose to meet their needs using several different approaches. In this paper, we explore how avoidance can be used as part of information seeking activities and not necessarily as an alternative approach.
Method: Semi-structured interviews with former and current cancer patients were used for data collection.
Analysis: Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analysed using a theoretical model of cancer information behaviour.
Results: Among the interviewees, different patterns of information seeking were identified, from intensely seeking information to avoiding it. Additionally, some cancer patients can actively seek information while consciously avoiding information that is relevant but doesn't meet their needs which can be effective approaches to protecting individuals from information, they are not able to cope with.
Conclusion: This empirical study explores how behaviours of information seeking and avoidance can overlap and be used simultaneously.
Method: Semi-structured interviews with former and current cancer patients were used for data collection.
Analysis: Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analysed using a theoretical model of cancer information behaviour.
Results: Among the interviewees, different patterns of information seeking were identified, from intensely seeking information to avoiding it. Additionally, some cancer patients can actively seek information while consciously avoiding information that is relevant but doesn't meet their needs which can be effective approaches to protecting individuals from information, they are not able to cope with.
Conclusion: This empirical study explores how behaviours of information seeking and avoidance can overlap and be used simultaneously.
| Original language | English |
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| Journal | Information Research |
| Volume | 27 |
| ISSN | 1368-1613 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2022 |
| Event | 11th International Conference on Conceptions of Library and Information Science - Oslo, Norway Duration: 29. May 2022 → 1. Jun 2022 |
Conference
| Conference | 11th International Conference on Conceptions of Library and Information Science |
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| Country/Territory | Norway |
| City | Oslo |
| Period | 29/05/2022 → 01/06/2022 |