A Healthy Dose of Information
The Internet has put vast amounts of health information in the hands of the general public that was once readily available only to healthcare professionals. From details about the symptoms of every disease to the different options for treatment, patients and their families now have online access to a wide array of educational resources when facing a new diagnosis. They can also review peer-generated health information such as blog posts and doctor/hospital ratings to discover what others "in their shoes" have experienced, and in turn, share their comments and reviews in online group forums.
How popular is this type of online research? Very popular, according to "The Social Life of Health Information," a report released in 2009 by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project and the California HealthCare Foundation. The majority of adults surveyed, 61 percent, look online for health information.
This report describes not only how American adults use the Internet to gather and share health information, but also how the landscape has shifted in the last decade. In 2000, 46 percent of American adults had access to the Internet, 5 percent of U.S. households had broadband connections, and 25 percent of American adults looked online for health information. Now, 75 percent of American adults go online, 57 percent of American households have broadband connections, and 61 percent of adults look online for health information.
Asked to assess the quality of their online health experiences, 60 percent of e-patients (defined as Internet users who look online for health information) say they or someone they know has been helped by following medical advice or health information found on the Internet. This represents a significant increase from a 2006 Pew report that found 31 percent of e-patients said that. By contrast, just 3 percent of e-patients say they or someone they know has been harmed by following medical advice or health information found on the Internet, a number that has remained stable since 2006.
Despite the growing use of the Internet for health information, it still comes in third as a source that adults turn to for assistance with health concerns. First on the list is consulting with a healthcare professional such as a doctor, followed by asking a trusted friend or family member.
Years ago, some feared that the Internet would reduce people's need to visit doctors, similar to the way websites have virtually replaced local travel agents as the way to make trip arrangements. But industry observers say this has not been the case. Instead, online health resources are being used as a supplement to, not a replacement for, the information provided by doctors during office visits. The Internet, after all, is a resource that people can tap into anytime, anywhere — a place to go, even in the middle of the night, when you need a health question answered or the support of someone that shares your struggles.
Head-to-Toe Resources
No matter where it hurts, you'll find a body of knowledge to help you at popular and well-respected websites like these. They're good places to begin your searches for health and medical information.
www.webmd.com
One of the top medical websites in the country, WebMD offers overviews of health conditions, advice for healthy living, information on drugs and supplements, eating and dieting tips, plus the latest health headlines.
http://health.yahoo.com
An interactive and user-friendly resource, Yahoo! Health features health tips of the day, videos, health expert advice, and ideas for everyday health and wellness. You can also search for information on common health topics and diseases.
www.mayoclinic.com
More than 3,300 physicians, scientists, and researchers from Mayo Clinic share their expertise here to enable consumers to make better and more informed choices regarding their healthcare. You can quickly find information on diseases and conditions, use the symptom checker, and look up prescription and over-the-counter drug information.
www.cdc.gov
When you think of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, topics like the flu probably come to mind first. But you'll find many more health subjects covered here including diseases and conditions, environmental health, travelers' health, and workplace safety and health.
http://health.nih.gov
This comprehensive website is from the National Institutes of Health. Categories include body locations/symptoms, health and wellness, conditions/diseases, and procedures. Special pages address the concerns of men, women, children and teens, seniors, and minorities.
www.fda.gov
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates drugs and medical devices to ensure that they are safe and effective. Here you'll find information on topics including new drug approvals, medication guides, buying medications online, and vaccines.
www.healthfinder.gov
A Department of Health and Human Services site, healthfinder.gov is a gateway to consumer information. It features an encyclopedia of over 1,600 health topics from the most trusted sources, news headlines, and interactive tools to check your health.
www.drugs.com
Drugs.com is the most popular, comprehensive and up-to-date source of drug information online. It provides free, peer-reviewed, accurate, and independent advice on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and natural products.
www.clinicaltrials.gov
Created by the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, this site provides patients, family members, and members of the public with current information about clinical research studies and clinical trials.
www.merck.com/mmhe/index.html
This online version of The Merck Manual, the world's most widely used textbook of medicine, is designed for use by patients and caregivers. It transforms the language of the professionals' version into everyday language while retaining the vital information about diseases, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
www.medlineplus.gov
This consumer-oriented website was established by the National Library of Medicine, the world's largest biomedical library. It makes it easy to search for information about topics related to health, drugs, and diseases.
Common e-Patient Activities
Used appropriately, health information gained from online searches can help e-patients and their families deepen their understanding of medical conditions and lead to better decision-making and treatment compliance. Many people also say that online information has helped them change their overall approach to maintaining their health, and enabled them to ask their doctors more specific questions.
Some of today's most common health-related online activities include:
- Researching specific diseases or medical problems and their treatments.
- Researching prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
- Researching alternative treatments or medicines.
- Researching depression, anxiety, stress, or mental health issues.
- Consulting the rankings/reviews of doctors, hospitals, and other medical facilities.
- Reading someone else's commentary or experience about health or medical issues on an online news group, website, or blog.
- Signing up to receive updates about health or medical issues including research developments.
- Listening to a podcast about health or medical issues.
- Posting comments, queries, or information about health or medical matters in an online discussion, listserv, or other online group forum.
- Looking for answers to health questions that may be too minor to warrant a doctor visit.
Remember — It's important to determine the credibility, reliability, and objectivity of the health information you find online. For advice on how to do this, click on the "Continue Cover Story" link below.
Additional Ideas for Health Research
Get medical news sent to you.
You can opt to have health and medical articles e-mailed to you by setting up a request at websites such as www.google.com/alerts or www.alerts.yahoo.com. These services are free, and can be tailored in a matter of moments to deliver exactly the news that can be most useful to you.
Check out disease-specific associations.
Hundreds of diseases and conditions have not-for-profit associations that support their cause. From funding research to providing basic information for patients, these organizations can be immensely helpful, especially for patients who have been newly diagnosed. Examples include the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association.
Try an online support group.
It can be very beneficial for patients and caregivers to share their experiences with others who are living with the same disease or health condition. You can find online support groups at websites such as www.dailystrength.com.