To What Extent Are People Using the Internet to Obtain Health Information in the UK: How Online 'Health Seeking' Behaviour Influences Offline Behaviour among Patients
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Abstract
Background
This is the first stage in a multi-disciplinary research series investigating how the internet influences the relationship between health care providers and their patients. This study is influenced by the findings of Fox and Rainie (2000) who conducted research in the USA on the influence of the internet on those seeking health information. Their findings showed that fifty-five percent of those with internet access surveyed had searched for health information online. Many of those said the information they found had an impact on how they interacted with their GP.
America has a healthcare system which is vastly different from the UK in that it is not free to the end user. Therefore, it is expected that this series of research studies will show reasons as to why people look for health information on the internet which are UK specific.
Objective
The overall aim of the research series is to reveal how online health seeking behaviour impacts frontline medical services, with a particular focus on online health seeking behaviour in the UK. The present research study intends to provide quantitative information on current levels of online health seeking behaviours among UK patients.
Method/Results
The study will generate data through self completed questionnaires developed on the basis of the findings of the Pew and Oxford Internet Surveys. Questionnaires will be distributed to medical centres throughout the UK and results will be analysed using statistical tests appropriate for nominal data.
Discussion
Results will be discussed within the wider context of online health seeking behaviour research and the field of e-health, and will further inform the subsequent stages of this research series.
This is the first stage in a multi-disciplinary research series investigating how the internet influences the relationship between health care providers and their patients. This study is influenced by the findings of Fox and Rainie (2000) who conducted research in the USA on the influence of the internet on those seeking health information. Their findings showed that fifty-five percent of those with internet access surveyed had searched for health information online. Many of those said the information they found had an impact on how they interacted with their GP.
America has a healthcare system which is vastly different from the UK in that it is not free to the end user. Therefore, it is expected that this series of research studies will show reasons as to why people look for health information on the internet which are UK specific.
Objective
The overall aim of the research series is to reveal how online health seeking behaviour impacts frontline medical services, with a particular focus on online health seeking behaviour in the UK. The present research study intends to provide quantitative information on current levels of online health seeking behaviours among UK patients.
Method/Results
The study will generate data through self completed questionnaires developed on the basis of the findings of the Pew and Oxford Internet Surveys. Questionnaires will be distributed to medical centres throughout the UK and results will be analysed using statistical tests appropriate for nominal data.
Discussion
Results will be discussed within the wider context of online health seeking behaviour research and the field of e-health, and will further inform the subsequent stages of this research series.
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