Many clients engage in an intense search for evidence related to the diagnosis, prognosis and intervention options of their (or their dependent's) health condition. A client-based search for evidence poses challenges from a client and clinician perspective and evolves the client-clinician relationship. This paper describes the meaning of searching for health evidence by health-care clients such as parents of hospitalised children through a personal story. I discuss the subjective search for evidence-based health information, interpretation and transfer of information as well as its impact on providers. In order to implement client-centred care and evidence-based practice health care organisations and providers need to take an active role in guiding clients in effective health information-seeking behaviour and to develop mechanisms for processing evidence presented by clients.
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Ayelet Ben‐Sasson (2011) studied this question.
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