Healthy Skepticism Library item: 14460

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Internet Surpasses Doctors as the Top Source of Health Information
PharmaLive 2008 Oct 9
http://pharmalive.com/news/index.cfm?articleID=577026&categoryid=43

Abstract:

Manhattan Research’s Latest Study Reveals Trends and Strategies for Connecting with Consumers Online for Health

Full text:

More U.S. adults used the Internet than doctors to obtain health and medical information over the past year, according to pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research. This trend represents a noticeable change in consumer behavior from previous years, as doctors have traditionally been the top source of health information.

This finding comes from Cybercitizen Health v8.0, a market research and strategic advisory service focused on how consumers use media and technology for health information and its impact on treatment and product decisions.

“Though doctors remain an essential part of an individual’s health management, consumers are increasingly comfortable using the Internet as a research tool for condition and treatment information,” said Meredith Abreu Ressi, Vice President of Research at Manhattan Research. “As healthcare coverage — and even routine visits to the doctor — becomes less affordable to many Americans, the Internet has emerged as a first line of defense for consumers seeking to manage their healthcare independently.”