June 14, 2009
The Social Life of Health Information
According to a report released by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project and the California HealthCare Foundation, 61% of adults look online for health information. Of those, 59% have done at least one of the following activities:
* Read someone else's commentary or experience about health or medical issues on an online news group, website, or blog
* Consulted rankings or reviews online of doctors or other providers
* Consulted rankings or reviews online of hospitals or other medical facilities
* Signed up to receive updates about health or medical issues
* Listened to a podcast about health or medical issues
In addition, 20% of internet users who have looked online for health information, have actively contributed comments, reviews, and updates. they have for example:
* Tagged or categorized online content about health or medical issues
* Posted comments, queries, or information about health or medical matters in an online discussion, listserv, or other online group forum
* Posted comments about health on a blog
* Posted a review online of a doctor
* Posted a review online of a hospital
* Shared photos, videos or audio files online about health or medical issues
In sum, 37% of all adults have done at least one of the above activities.
"The Social Life of Health Information," report describes not only how American adults use the internet to gather and share health information, but also how the landscape has shifted in the last decade. In 2000, 46% of American adults had access to the internet, 5% of U.S. households had broadband connections, and 25% of American adults looked online for health information. Now, 75% of American adults go online, 57% of American households have broadband connections, and 61% of adults look online for health information. Further, many adults now have wireless access to the internet.
According to the report authors, "mobile access allows people to be 'always present' to each other and that seems to draw them into conversations about health. The early internet provided e-patients online tools that enabled research. Now the mobile, social internet enables connection and conversation."
Asked to assess the quality of their online health experiences, 60% of e-patients (42% of all adults) say they or someone they know has been helped by following medical advice or health information found on the internet. This represents a significant increase from a 2006 Pew report that found 31% of e-patients (25% of all adults) said that. Just 3% of e-patients say they or someone they know has been harmed by following medical advice or health information found on the internet, a number that has remained stable since 2006.
However, Americans’ longstanding practices of consulting a health professional, a trusted friend, or a wise family member persist as patients pursue good health. When asked which sources they turn to for assistance, the internet comes in third (tied with books) behind asking a health professional and talking with friends or family members.
Source:
The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project
Posted by rsk at June 14, 2009 09:42 PM