Public Opinion About the Internet and Information Technologies - Health Information

Despite the increased reliance on the Internet for health information, it still came in last as a source of medical information. Only 37% of those interviewed for a September

FIGURE 10.8

2002 Gallup poll said that they found at least some of their health advice on the Web, according to "Americans Get Plenty of Health News on TV, but Tend Not to Trust It" by Frank Newport (Gallup Organization, September 2002). The Internet fell in behind every other popular source, including the doctor (70%), television (64%), books (56%), and the doctor's nurse (49%). Generally the Internet was more popular among those forty-nine and younger. Nearly 43% of those under fifty received health-care information on the Internet, as opposed to 28% of those fifty and over. However, the Internet was still the least-used source among younger people.

Although television came in second as a source of health information, Figure 10.8 shows that Americans trusted it the least. Where trust is concerned, the Internet came in next to last with 62% of people saying they trust information on the Internet. When looking at the percentage of people who trust the sources they used greatly, the Web moves to fourth place behind books. This could be a reflection of the fact that the Internet yields higher quality information for those who spend a long time looking for it. The September 2002 poll revealed that media sources of health and medical news tended to confuse as many people as they helped. Forty-five percent of respondents said that they felt more confused about a health issue after reviewing a medical or health news report, versus 50% who said they were better able to make a health decision. In fact, Newport suggested that health reports in the media or on the Internet actually caused more people to go to the doctor and ask him or her questions about health care. Nearly one-third (32%) of Americans said that they question a doctor about medical information they found on the Internet or in the media somewhat often, and 16% claim they ask questions very often. Only 20% of Americans said they never asked the doctor about information they see.