The “LIMB” Model: Lay Information Mediary Behavior
Health information outreach is often aimed at information mediaries in addition to primary information seekers. The article defines lay information mediaries as “those who seek information in a non-professional or informal capacity on behalf (or because) of others without necessarily being asked to do so, or engaging in follow-up.” These individuals are also known as gatekeepers, change agents, communication channels, links, navigators, and innovators. The authors present a generalized model of information mediary characteristics, activities, motivations, barriers, facilitators and raise the question of what differences exist between primary information seekers and information mediaries, since “the caregiver-as-person may have information needs that vary from the caregiver-as-caregiver.” These are factors we can take into account in community assessment activities.
