With the internet at our fingertips, it’s no surprise that people often turn to online sources for health-related information. This habit has transformed how we perceive and manage our health. Here’s a closer look at how people utilize the health information they find online.
Online Health seekers
The internet has become a significant source of health information for people around the world. A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that 81% of Americans have used the internet to get health or medical information.
The internet has become an essential tool for people seeking health information. In fact, a recent study found that 72% of Americans use the Internet to research health topics. This trend is likely to continue as more and more people turn to the internet for information about their health.
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.
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.