Information needs of patients with cardiovascular disease in health information seeking process: A qualitative study

Seeking health information is of salient importance in management of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The present study aimed to explore and reveal the information needs of patients with cardiovascular diseases when seeking healthcare information. Our data sources were patients’، family caregivers’ and healthcare providers’ experiences. In a qualitative research approach، content analysis method was used. There were 31 participants comprising 16 cardiovascular patients، 5 family caregivers، and 10 healthcare providers. Required data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and purposeful sampling، and continued until data saturation. Analysis of data was performed concurrently with data collection and through a comparative method. Four central themes including disease-related، healthcare-related، health system-related and life-related information needs emerged out of content analysis. The results showed that information seeking in patients with cardiovascular diseases is holistic and is beyond physical health and the disease. Some of the important findings of this study are seeking information about prognosis، role playing، mental and sexual health، healthcare system performance، modern medicine، Islamic and traditional medicine. Therefore، providing information through various modes of communication for meeting patient needs، having their participation in decisions for treatment، and optimal management of life is necessary.