Marianne Paimre
Image source: Tallinn University
Marianne Paimre, who defended her doctoral degree at Tallinn University’s School of Digital Technologies, studied how people aged 50 and over seek health information in Estonia. She was also interested in which sources they trust and what factors influence the use of the information they receive. The results of the survey and interviews show that health information-seeking is closely linked to people’s education, digital skills, and internet usage habits. Those with more resources and experience are better able to find information, as well as to assess and apply it in their health decisions.
“It is often assumed that the internet gives everyone equal access to health information, but this is not the case,” says Marianne Paimre. “Access to information does not mean understanding it. The biggest challenge is not the availability of information but the ability to assess and use it.”
The survey found that doctors continue to be the most important and reliable source of health information. The internet is more likely to be used as a complementary tool, for example, before consulting a doctor. At the same time, a large number of respondents admitted that they have difficulty assessing the reliability of information found online. This creates a situation where people are seeking information but may not always be able to tell the difference between science-based advice and advertising or misleading content. Thus, digital technology and good access to information do not necessarily reduce health inequalities but can exacerbate them if people are not able to critically assess information.
