Digital Health Information-Seeking Behaviors and Decision-Making Patterns Among Chronic Disease Patients in Online Communities: Insights from a Mixed-Methods Analysis

Digital health; chronic disease; online health communities; information-seeking behavior; patient decision-making; eHealth literacy; participatory medicine; mixed-methods research.

Aliev Navruz Khasanovich1
1*
PhD, Associate Professor, BUKHARA STATE
MEDICAL INSTITUTE NAMED AFTER ABU
ALI IBN SINO. [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0003-2194-7052"
Tilyavova Sitora Amirzoda2
2
Assistent of the Department of Obstetrics and
gynaecology of the Samarkand state medical
university,
Doctor
of
philosophy,
Samarkand,Uzbekistan.
E-mail:
[email protected]
ORCID
ID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5020-8908"
Murodjon Temirov3
3
PhD Candidate, Department of Pediatrics,
Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu
Ali
ibn
Sino,
Bukhara,
Uzbekistan.
[email protected] orchid id:00090003-0470-0960
Gulnoza Murodovna Akhmadjonova4
4DSc, Associate Professor of the Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology 2 at Andijan State
Medical Institute. [email protected] orcid
id: 0000-0003-2353-1229
Nabiyeva Shoxista Mustafayevna5
5
Samarkand State Medical University, Assistent
at the department N 1 of Pediatrics and
neonatology,
Samarkand,
Uzbekistan
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5389-9652 E-mail
[email protected]
Rabbimova Nodira Tashtemirovna6
6
Associate professor of Department of Infectious
diseases Samarkand State Medical University,
PhD.
e-mail:
[email protected]
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4748-8149.

Received-14-05-2026
Revised-18-06-2026
Accepted-25-06-2026

European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2026) 34(4s), 92–105

Digital Health InformationSeeking Behaviors and
Decision-Making Patterns
Among Chronic Disease
Patients in Online
Communities: Insights from a
Mixed-Methods Analysis

Background:With the expanding reach of digital health platforms, patients with chronic diseases increasingly turn to online communities to obtain, interpret, and apply health information. Yet the mechanisms through which these digital interactions influence health decisions and self-management remain insufficiently understood. Clarifying these behaviors is vital for developing evidence-based digital health strategies that enhance patient empowerment and care outcomes. Objective:This study explores how individuals with chronic illnesses engage in online information-seeking, assess the trustworthiness of digital sources, and integrate collective knowledge from online peers into personal health decisions. Methods:A mixed-methods design combined quantitative survey data (n = 752) with qualitative interviews (n = 30). The survey measured eHealth literacy, patterns of community participation, perceived credibility of information, and reported behavioral changes. Interview data were thematically analyzed to uncover motivations, emotional dynamics, and cognitive strategies guiding digital information use and decision-making. Statistical models examined relationships between online engagement, information evaluation, and self-management confidence. Results:Participants exhibited strong reliance on online networks for experiential knowledge and social validation. Greater perceived credibility and peer trust were linked with heightened confidence in self-care decisions. Three engagement typologies were identified—affirmation seeking, collaborative interpretation, and participatory experimentation—each reflecting distinct approaches to decision-making. Variations in critical appraisal and source triangulation emerged by age, education level, and disease type. Conclusion:Online health communities serve as influential ecosystems for information exchange, emotional support, and autonomous decision-making among people living with chronic conditions. Integrating patient-derived insights from these spaces into clinical communication and digital health policy could advance more responsive, participatory models of chronic disease management.

Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, respiratory illnesses, and cancer now account for over 70% of global mortality each year, representing a profound and persistent challenge for health systems and societies worldwide (World Health Organization, 2023). Increasing life expectancy, urbanization, and changing behavioral risk profiles have •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ejprd.org- Published by Riset Publishing Services LLC.

EJPRD

Copyright © 2026 by Riset Publishing Services LLC