The number one source adults reference in their search for health-related information is the Internet. Fifty-nine percent use the Internet, while 55 percent ask their doctor. This represents a shift toward people empowering themselves before (or instead of) consulting with their physician.
Here are the most popular tools people use to find health information:
- Search engines: 67%
- Health portals (e.g., WebMD, HealthCentral): 46%
- Social media: 34%
- Specific disease/condition sites: 25%
Some examples of health social networking websites include PatientsLikeMe, Revolution Health, and NursesRecommendDoctors.
PatientsLikeMe
Would you like to be able to connect with people who have the same condition or are fighting the same disease as you? PatientsLikeMe allows you to do this. You simply type in the condition you have and a list of people who have the same condition are displayed. You’re able to view their profiles, medications they’re taking, symptoms they have, how long they’ve had the condition, and more.
PatientsLikeMe helps to connect people going through similar experiences. With the advent of social networking you needn’t feel alone in what you’re going through.
Revolution Health
At Revolution Health you can ask and answer health-related questions. You can also rate doctors and hospitals and find recommended ones near you. Revolution Health is like WebMD in that you can access information on certain conditions, but adds elements of social interaction (forums, blogs, groups, etc.).
WebMD has more information on health conditions, but if you’re looking for a way to interact with others, head to Revolution Health.
NursesRecommendDoctors
If you are interested in reading reviews of doctors, head over to NursesRecommendDoctors. The website allows nurses to anonymously provide ratings and reviews of physicians. (It is unclear from the site how the service determines whether someone is a nurse, but I would assume there is some sort of verification process.)
So, why are people connecting with others online for health information? The top reasons include:
- To see what others say about a medication or treatment (36%).
- To research others’ knowledge and experiences (31%).
- To learn skills or get education to manage a condition (27%).
- To get emotional support (17%).
Thanks to The Health Care Blog for blogging about the new report. You can download the entire report here.
Do you search for health information online? Do you connect with others to find answers and share experiences? If so, which websites do you like best?
Digg
StumbleUpon
Facebook
Delicious