The Private/Public Life Of Health Information

People are now using the Internet in record numbers to augment information they get from health professionals. Also, while privacy regarding health matters has always been important for most patients, increasingly people are sharing their health information online with others.

These are the conclusions detailed in a recently released Pew Internet report titled, The Social Life of Health Information, 2011. According to this report, 80 percent of internet users now look online to gain additional information on specific diseases or treatments. It is important to note that the most trusted source for health information is doctors, nurses and other health professionals, but the fact that so many people research additional information demonstrates that people indeed use the Web to validate that professional advice.

The research report also indicates that more Americans are using social sites to access and share information about health topics that are important to them. In other words, while people use the Web to find other information from trusted sources about health information, they are also confiding with other people through social networks to understand and share health issues from a patient’s perspective. More people are looking for and connecting with others who might share the same health condition they have.

In addition, over 15 percent of internet users have now consulted online ranking and review sites to gather information about hospitals and doctors. This is a growing trend and one that has some physicians and health organizations worried. Some doctors are fighting back with legal threats against this type of information sharing. The American Medical Association has noted that doctors have limited recourse against reviews that may be inaccurate or damaging. Some studies have shown that almost 80 percent of online reviews and ratings are positive, yet some negative comments can create considerable problems for health professionals.

One thing all the above shows is that the Internet will only continue to grow as a valuable resource for people who seek out more information about the important health matters in their lives.