Abstract

Information-quality-related technology features in online health communities (OHCs) can (dis)empower the information quality (IQ) perceptions, health knowledge acquisition (HKA), self-management, and health outcomes of patients with chronic conditions. Although various information-quality-related features, such as the filter or the searching bar, have implemented in OHCs, their effects on IQ and HKA are understudied. Therefore, based on empowerment theory, this paper compares the effect of two information representation features (structured versus unstructured) on IQ and HKA in OHCs across two information sources (information from physicians or patients). A two-by-two between-subjects laboratory experiment with a simulated OHC was conducted. The results show that structured information representation feature has a greater impact on patients’ perceptions of IQ and HKA than unstructured information representation feature when the information is provided by patients but not by physicians.

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The Effect of Features on Information Quality and Knowledge Acquisition in Online Health Communities

Information-quality-related technology features in online health communities (OHCs) can (dis)empower the information quality (IQ) perceptions, health knowledge acquisition (HKA), self-management, and health outcomes of patients with chronic conditions. Although various information-quality-related features, such as the filter or the searching bar, have implemented in OHCs, their effects on IQ and HKA are understudied. Therefore, based on empowerment theory, this paper compares the effect of two information representation features (structured versus unstructured) on IQ and HKA in OHCs across two information sources (information from physicians or patients). A two-by-two between-subjects laboratory experiment with a simulated OHC was conducted. The results show that structured information representation feature has a greater impact on patients’ perceptions of IQ and HKA than unstructured information representation feature when the information is provided by patients but not by physicians.