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Dr. Google’s office never closes

Dr. Google’s office never closes. Susannah Fox Pew Internet Project April 14, 2005. Being online is the norm – but it is not universal. 61%. Broadband adoption affects the internet health marketplace. 55 million. Hypothesis: Industrial Age medicine is dead…. medical science.

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Dr. Google’s office never closes

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  1. Dr. Google’s office never closes Susannah Fox Pew Internet Project April 14, 2005

  2. Being online is the norm – but it is not universal 61%

  3. Broadband adoption affects the internet health marketplace 55 million

  4. Hypothesis:Industrial Age medicine is dead… . medical science PHYSICIAN non-MD staff patient

  5. Hypothesis: …Information Age medicine is here my online support groups my search engine my primary doc my specialist doc my online patient- helpers NET-SAVVY PATIENT my other health experts my favorite health sites my online docs qualityware & communityware other self-helpers

  6. 95 million health seekers in the U.S. • 8 in 10 internet users have searched for at least one of 16 health topics • Big impact for people caring for sick loved ones • High expectations that reliable health care information will be online • Half of internet “health seekers” say they will turn first to the internet for their next health question

  7. Specific disease and treatment information top the search list • 63% of internet users have looked online for information about a specific disease or medical problem • 47% for certain medical treatment or procedure • 44% for diet, nutrition, vitamins, or nutritional supplements • 36% for exercise or fitness • 34% for prescription or OTC drugs • Plus 11 other topics

  8. How internet users gather health information • Most: Scattershot searches in response to a diagnosis • Some: Targeted email health news or medical updates • Few: Online support groups or email lists for people concerned about a particular health or medical issue

  9. Bad information is dangerous • RAND/CHCF: Online advice is incomplete and hard to understand – esp. for Spanish readers • NEJM: Americans receive about half of recommended medical care

  10. Three types of health seeker • Vigilant: 25% “always” check the source, date, and privacy policy of a health Web site • Concerned: 25% check “most of the time” • Unconcerned: 50% “only sometimes,” “hardly ever,” or “never” check

  11. Conclusion • More Americans look for health info online than see a doctor on a typical day • Search engines are the starting point, not specialized sites • Email is used for advice and support, esp. for chronically ill & caregivers • Few verify information quality, but many use what they find

  12. Contact information • Susannah Fox, Pew Internet & American Life Project • Sfox(at)pewinternet.org • 202 419 4500

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