Pew Internet Research: Healthcare FAQ November 26, 2009

A few months ago, I wrote about the latest Pew Internet Research report that focused on online health information and the world of e-patients. I also shared excerpts:

61% of American adults look online for health information.

In 2000, 46% of American adults had access to the internet, 5% of U.S. households had broadband connections, and 25% of American adults looked online for health information. Now, 74% of American adults go online, 57% of American households have broadband connections, and 61% of adults look online for health information. We use the term “e-patient” to describe this group.

American adults continue to turn to traditional sources of health information, even as many of them deepen their engagement with the online world.

A majority of e-patients access user-generated health information.

Now Susannah Fox who is an Associate Director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project and principal author of the Project’s survey reports on e-patients and online health, published a fantastic and very useful guide for interpreting Pew Internet data dedicated to healthcare.