Expanding Internet Access for Health Care Consumers

Abstract

Sophisticated health care consumers are beginning to use the Internet to educate themselves about their own health and manage their own care. As health care stakeholders (providers, payers, employers) feel pressure from consumers to implement Internet-related strategies, stakeholders must realize that obtaining Internet access is a challenge for many consumers. Stakeholders who expand consumer Internet access will, however, have a competitive advantage. This article outlines how stakeholders can expand consumer Internet access.

Consumer health information seeking on the Internet: the state of the art

“…Searches often are triggered by a diagnosis and desire for treatment information (Boyer et al, 1999), as more than 90% of healthinformation seekers search for material related to physical illnesses (Pew Internet and American Life Project, 2000c). In turn, information found may influence medical decision making and help consumers to manage their own care (Wilkins, 1999;Pew Internet and American Life Project, 2000c). About 47% of those seeking health information for themselves reported that their findings influenced treatment decisions (Pew Internet and American Life Project, 2000c).…”

“…Optimists anticipate better-informed decisions by consumers, better and more tailored treatment decisions, stronger provider-client relationships, and increased patient compliance and satisfaction (Ayonride, 1998;Wilkins, 1999), resulting in better medical outcomes (Bader and Braude, 1998;Wilkins, 1999) and more efficient service (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 1999). Pessimists contend that interactive health communication will not enhance physician-patient communication, with physicians likely to balk at the added responsibilities (Appleby, 1999;Baur, 2000).…”

Internet Use for Health Information Among College Students

“…The Internet provides volumes of health information for consumer health education 4 and has the potential for improving individual health. 5,6 It offers online health information and service delivery through various different formats, including text-based health information, e-mails, chat rooms, and listservs.…”

“…10,11 Other advantages of the Internet include the possibility of obtaining health information conveniently to make better decisions about health and medical care, interacting with others over the Internet, and choosing health providers. 4,12 The Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac 2003-4 13 reported that nearly 15,312,000 students are enrolled in colleges and universities nationwide. A national health objective from Healthy Campus 2010 14 emphasizes the need for health education in colleges and universities.…”

From the Bottom Up and Other Lessons from Down Under

“…Advances in communications and information technology can only facilitate community influence. The growing use of the Internet and other information resources has been recognized as increasing the knowledge base of consumers, enabling greater involvement and understanding in managing their healthcare (Wilkins 1999). In the future it will be much easier to involve consumers in identifying and defining their care requirements.…”