More than 25 million people will use the internet to search for health information. Estimates vary regarding the number of medically related sites on the web, but they number at least 100 000. Only about half of these sites have their content reviewed by doctors. The biggest problem with obtaining health information from the internet is that it is not always easy to decide what is reliable.
Online Health seekers
SUMMARY:
- Online health seeker numbers are still very high, indicating that people are doing their research first before asking for a prescription drug.
- Online health seekers trust pharma products but find product websites hard to read and inconsistent with their needs.
- Telehealth numbers are dropping rapidly, but people still want to use telehealth to ask for Rx renewals and ask general questions.
- By far, people over 50 are the biggest segment of online health seekers.
IN SUMMARY: Online health seekers are using the Internet differently since the pandemic. Treatment options are researched more, and people are using, but not relying, on social media to gather information on what’s best for THEM.
QUICK READ: With patients afraid to go to their doctor for wellness visits and more people using the Internet for health information there is a huge opportunity for pharma to win over a skeptical audience.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Online health seekers feel overwhelmed with the quantity of online health information and often don’t know who to trust on social media to help them make informed and educated decisions. Pharma websites are often a stop on the search but don’t have enough information to help online health seekers make a final decision.
IN SUMMARY: Online health seekers are becoming more and more confused as conflicting health news seems to counteract previous reports about products like baby aspirin. The release of new and updated health information means that online health seekers have to spend more time online to peel away the layers of “hype” from the facts.