Beyond seeking: Information use among older adults with diabetes

Abstract Health information empowers individuals to manage their health, but its impact is limited unless effectively used. Yet information use, that is, the specific actions individuals take after finding the information they need, remains under‐researched. This study focuses on information use in the context of health information and older adults with type 2 diabetes, asking what actions they take once they find information. Data collection involved semi‐structured interviews with 23 older adults with diabetes in Canada; data analysis used reflexive thematic analysis. The study identifies four themes: (1) active application of information in personal health management, (2) ongoing knowledge integration and development, (3) critical selection and evaluation of information, and (4) sharing information as a communal practice. These findings contribute empirical evidence to understanding information use as a distinct component of information behavior, revealing that it involves specific actions such as physical activities, decision‐making, knowledge integration, filtering, assessing, and sharing. These insights into information use are vital for improving the effectiveness of policies, health services, and information systems.