Web first place people go for health information. But you knew that already didn’t you?

Some interesting data from eMarketer this morning.  The first tidbit was that the first place people go for health information is the Internet.  If this is surprising to you one has to wonder where you have been over the last couple of years.

So the next logical questions is “why do people turn to the Internet first for health information ?”.    The answer to that of course is that it is always there 24/7/365.  As to what drives people to look for health information ?  Think triggers like:

• Having a personal health issue and determining if I should go see a doctor, which takes time out of my busy day, or whether I can self treat.

• Family member having a health issue. I want to know what it could possibly be and whether I need to seek additional medical care.

• Family member diagnosed with medical condition.  I want to know what to expect and health treatment options.

• I am not feeling the same/feeling worse since I started taking my Rx and want to know if it’s the medicine or me.

Make no mistake about it consumers are spending time online self-diagnosing to a certain extent and they want a bigger role in their healthcare choices.  Sure a medication can help control high triglycerides but if it causes extreme muscle pain is it really worth it ?

The other bit of information from emarketer is that the most appealing factor about health communities is that the information is available 24/7.  I’m not sure I buy this one.  I believe the most appealing factor in online health communities is that the information is usually from other patients.  People want to hear and share their experiences not read a sales sheet of what to expect.  As for info being available 24/7 ?  I think you could say that about the entire Internet not just health information.