Consumer use of the internet for health information: a survey of primary care patients

Abstract

An increasing number of patients use the internet to obtain information about health. Although some information is available about how health professionals use the internet, little is known about how patients utilize this information. Some patients may actively seek information to assume more responsibility for their health. However, others may feel obliged to do so because of failing confidence in health care provision. Health professionals have the potential to assist patients to make sense of health information from the internet; however, they may not necessarily welcome this role. This study aims to evaluate patients’ use of such information in a primary care setting. The sample consisted of adult patients (n = 851) from two general practice populations at different levels of the socio‐economic spectrum in South Wales (UK). Patients were surveyed by questionnaire about the health information they use, including the internet. The majority of patients preferred to use their general practitioner as the main source of health information. The internet was jointly the second preferred source for information about an illness (6%). Just over half (51%) of patients in this study had access to the internet, of which about half use it to access health information. Just under a quarter (24%, n = 55) of health internet users had discussed information accessed from the internet during a subsequent consultation with a health professional. Of these, three‐quarters felt more prepared and able to participate in decision‐making about treatments. This study provides a greater understanding of how patients are making use of health‐related information from the internet. These findings can be used to help prepare health care professionals for dealing appropriately with internet‐informed patients.

Internet Use for Health-Care Information by Subjects With COPD

“…However, a Dutch study that assessed subjects with pain showed that 39% of them sought specific information about this condition on the internet. 21 Similar to our study, the rate increased to 58% when subjects with internet access were evaluated as a subgroup. This high percentage of subjects seeking information about pain in The Netherlands might be related to the fact that 83% of the general population has internet access.…”

“…In a study conducted in England, 80% of the subjects preferred to receive their medical information directly from their physicians; only 19% searched for information on the internet. 21 Similarly, in a study conducted in The Netherlands, the subjects generally preferred to have their medical information provided by their physicians, despite having access to the internet. 5 Subjects in a study conducted in Taiwan stated that they did not seek medical information on the internet due to lack of time, lack of skill in accessing it, motivation, or even dissatisfaction with the information, considering it to be unreliable.…”

Gender Differences in The Use of Internet for Health Information Search

“…The Internet is likely to remain an unregulated resource through which anyone can provide or access information. The Internet has not only increased the possibility of patients accessing information intended for health care professionals, but may also put patients in a vulnerable position as they may encounter information which is unreliable, of poor quality, difficult to understand or may not even apply to their health care needs (Dolan et al, 2004).…”

“…They observed a relationship between the frequency of Internet use and the short-term (communication) effects and long term (life benefits) effects on patients. Dolan et al (2004) sought to evaluate patients' use of the Internet information in a primary care setting. One of their results is that the use of online health related information makes most patients feel more prepared and able to participate in decision-making about treatments.…”

“…It is no longer merely a source of information or communication, but offers useful platforms for consumers to conduct a variety of activities (Dolan et al, 2004). A recent survey in England found that about half of consumers now actively use the Internet to order tickets, goods or services (Office of National Statistics, 2003).…”