A third of Europeans and almost half of Americans use internet for health information

A third of European consumers have used the internet to get health information in the last year, according to a survey by the business analysts Datamonitor.

The company surveyed 4531 people in Europe and the United States and found that 32% of the Europeans and 43% of the Americans questioned had used the internet for health information.

But the consumers are more likely to use health websites sponsored by companies such as the BBC and Yahoo than websites connected directly with a pharmaceutical company, the government, or medical institutions.

The survey also showed that 21% of Europeans and 23% of Americans had asked their doctor about a disease or symptom after having first read something about it on the internet.

David Deon, healthcare analyst at Datamonitor, said: “Currently consumers have access to a plethora of online information, varying in the levels of accuracy they provide. Understandably, many doctors question the value of the internet, particularly when their patients bring in or talk about inaccurate information found online.”

But consumers also wanted to use the internet to improve access to their doctor. Forty five per cent of Europeans (54% of Americans) wanted to be able to email their doctor, and 46% of Europeans (55% of Americans) would like their doctors to be able to send them prescriptions by email.

“This facility would no doubt prove invaluable for busy consumers who need repeat prescriptions for medication such as the contraceptive pill,” said a Datamonitor spokesman.

The Internet and the Patient-Physician Relationship is available for purchase at http://www.datamonitor.com/