Recent use of the Internet as a source of health information has raised concerns about consumers' ability to tell ‘good’ information from ‘bad’ information. Although consumers report that they use source credibility to judge information quality, several observational studies suggest that consumers make little use of source credibility. This study examines consumer evaluations of web pages attributed to a credible source as compared to generic web pages on measures of message quality. In spring 2005, a community-wide convenience survey was distributed in a regional hub city in Ohio, USA. 519 participants were randomly assigned one of six messages discussing lung cancer prevention: three messages each attributed to a highly credible national organization and three identical messages each attributed to a generic webpage. Independent sample t-tests were conducted to compare each attributed message to its counterpart attributed to a generic webpage on measures of trustworthiness, truthfulness, readability, and completeness. The results demonstrated that differences in attribution to a source did not have a significant effect on consumers' evaluations of the quality of the information. Conclusions. The authors offer suggestions for national organizations to promote credibility to consumers as a heuristic for choosing better online health information through the use of media co-channels to emphasize credibility.

In this article, we investigate the surge in use of COVID-19-related preprints by media outlets. Journalists are a main source of reliable public health information during crises and, until recently, journalists have been reluctant to cover preprints because of the associated scientific uncertainty. Yet, uploads of COVID-19 preprints and their uptake by online media have outstripped that of preprints about any other topic. Using an innovative approach combining altmetrics methods with content analysis, we identified a diversity of outlets covering COVID-19-related preprints during the early months of the pandemic, including specialist medical news outlets, traditional news media outlets, and aggregators. We found a ubiquity of hyperlinks as citations and a multiplicity of framing devices for highlighting the scientific uncertainty associated with COVID-19 preprints. These devices were rarely used consistently (e.g., mentioning that the study was a preprint, unreviewed, preliminary, and/or in need of verification). About half of the stories we analyzed contained framing devices emphasizing uncertainty. Outlets in our sample were much less likely to identify the research they mentioned as preprint research, compared to identifying it as simply “research.” This work has significant implications for public health communication within the changing media landscape. While current best practices in public health risk communication promote identifying and promoting trustworthy sources of information, the uptake of preprint research by online media presents new challenges. At the same time, it provides new opportunities for fostering greater awareness of the scientific uncertainty associated with health research findings.

Purpose: – Reproductive health is critically important for women and yet minority women in Canada are less likely to use preventive health care services. The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of the health behaviours of this minority population and, in particular, identify barriers to accessing reproductive health care services. Design/methodology/approach: – This study qualitatively analysed data from focus group discussions with 22 Muslim immigrant women in Ottawa, Canada. Findings: – The theme of modesty emerged as one of the main barriers in the health seeking behaviour of Muslim immigrant women when it comes to reproductive health and, therefore, the gender of the physician was very important. Focus group participants also discussed a preference for family physicians from the same ethnic and cultural background. Adaptation, or the need to be flexible if there was no alternative to a male doctor, emerged as a theme throughout the focus groups. Emergencies were frequently cited as a reason to adapt. Practical implications: – The findings reveal that while religious rules do play a predominant role in the health behaviour of Muslim immigrant women, communication by health care providers, government and health agencies can offer strategies to increase the uptake of preventive reproductive care. Originality/value: – This study offers unique insights into the very personal experience of reproductive health care through rich, qualitative data. Given the impact of culture and religion on perceptions and practices, in particular related to reproductive health, this study contributes to more effective communication strategies with Muslim women.

Background: Fear of physicians is associated with a variety of negative relationship and clinical outcomes. Culturally competent communication has been suggested as a way for physicians to reduce patient fear. Previous research has not, however, assessed whether patients’ perceptions of physicians’ cultural competence are associated with the level of felt fear. This study assessed associations between patients’ fear of physicians and their perceptions of physicians’ cultural competence in healthcare interactions. Method: In this cross-sectional study, a purposive sample of 306 patients were recruited from the patient base of a local clinic system with three locations, one rural, one suburban, and one urban in Appalachian Ohio. Using validated paper-and-pencil questionnaires, we assessed patients’ perceptions of physicians’ cultural competence in four domains (macro cultural issues, proxemics/chronemics, language issues, and patient-centeredness) as well as fear of physicians. Results: Fear of physicians was associated with perceptions that physicians’ accommodated cultural differences related to issues of personal space and time and with perceptions of physicians’ provision of patient-centered care. Other domains of intercultural competence indicated negative association, but were not significant. Conclusions: The findings of this study provide evidence that some forms of physician accommodation of cultural difference are associated with reduced fear of physicians. These findings have implications for promoting physicians' cultural competence in healthcare interactions. These implications, with a focus on patient-physician communication are discussed.