What Drives or Inhibits Individuals’ Intention to Seek Information About Medical Innovations? Findings From an Online Survey Among German Residents

Abstract

Innovation research fighting for public attention and counteracting science-skeptical views raise the need for insights into why individuals are motivated to engage with scientific knowledge. Guided by the Planned Risk Information Seeking Model (PRISM), additionally considering mistrust in science and innovativeness, the study aimed to explain individuals’ intention to seek information about medical innovations. Findings of an online survey among German residents (N = 5,322) supported the utility of the extended PRISM to predict seeking intent. Most of the postulates of the PRISM were supported; mistrust served as a barrier to engagement with scientific knowledge, whereas innovativeness was of minor relevance.

Keywords

medical innovation Planned Risk Information Seeking Model information seeking information avoidance trust in science mistrust in science innovativeness online survey smart implants

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