Information Preference, Information Gathering and Decision Making Preference Regarding Health Issues: The Patient’s Perspective

Abstract

This research examines the translation of preference for health related information into information gathering from other sources other than immediate medical care. Demographic, dispositional and an attitudinal characteristic trust were utilised to predict this translation. In addition, the research also utilised these antecedents and attitudinal characteristics to predict the discrepancy in information preference/gathering and medical decision-making-preference. An online, cross-sectional survey was designed. 250 students registered on the University of Auckland‟s Center for Continuing Education (CCE) were used as study participants. The two dimensions of information preference/gathering and decision-making preference are separate and this is not predicted by respondents‟demographic characteristics. The relationship between information preference/gathering and decision-making preference is conditional according to individuals‟ dispositional attribution. This is because PHLOC is a significant and negative predictor of decision-making preference. This means that the patients prefer their physician to make medical decisions for them. Given that, trust is also a significant and negative predictor of decision-making preference, the study adds that the relationship is also conditional according to the trust patients have in their physicians. In addition, since the study‟s respondents trust their physician to make the medical decisions, this study suggests that a model that leans more towards the paternalistic communication style may be more conducive. Strengths and limitations and practical implications of the research are considered along with ideas for future research.