Understanding how users experience the medical internet

The latest Health On the Internet’s survey results have been released.

These surveys have been conducted online every six months since February-March 1997.

The latest survey’s findings are presented online. These results are based on an online questionnaire voluntarily completed between May and June 2002.

The main findings of this survey include:

• For both, patients or professionals, the most critical issues facing the medical Internet are the accuracy of information, the trustworthiness and finding information & navigation.
• A great majority (66% of patients, 71% professionals) believe that certification and/or accreditation of medical web sites may help resolve the critical issues.
• Among the patients who discussed the results of Internet searches with their care providers, 52% found the consultation more constructive.
• Most people (59%) favour certified web sites.
• There are interesting findings about comparative preferences of search engines (general or medical) by patients and by health professionals.

To view the survey, click on the link above.

(Source: Health on the Net Foundation)