Washington (H24N). Surfing the Web can net a lot of medical information for those who visit medical information sites.

A study by PC Data Online found that one out of three Internet users visits health care information Web sites first before calling a doctor. The study also revealed that medical sites are among the most popular sites on the Internet, trailing entertainment sites.

"Health care sites won't replace the family doctor, but they are evolving into the first line of defense for users with medical concerns," said Sean Wargo, a senior analyst with PC Data Online.

PC Data Online's survey is based on results from a sample of 1,618 U.S. home Internet users taken from the more than 120,000 users on PC Data's panel. The sample was weighted by age and gender to accurately represent home Internet users in the United States.

Nearly 60 percent of all of the respondents who visit medical sites said they do so to help them diagnose health problems. Fifty-six percent said they visit the sites for general medical information, 43 percent said they seek out fitness and wellness information, and 42 percent said they seek information about prescription drugs.

Although many respondents said they look for information about prescription medications online, only 7 percent said they actually have their prescriptions filled online.

When asked why they didn't use the Internet to have their prescriptions filled online, many respondents said it was just as convenient for them to go to the corner drugstore and they preferred to talk to a pharmacist in person about their medications. Some respondents also said they didn't want to pay the shipping charge to have their prescriptions delivered.

"The survey suggests the medical community is now treating better educated patients--or at least people who have more information upon which they are basing medical decisions," Wargo said.

NEWS AND TRENDS | CAREER CENTER | EDUCATION
Home | Resources
Site Index | Contact Us | FAQs | Subscribe | Advertise