Many Australians look for health information on the web. We gather more information, find out about alternatives, get a second opinion, seek support, find support groups and resolve conflicting information. These reasons are described in the Better Health Channel's Health Information on the Internet.
Searching for online health information can be a positive and negative experience. Searching may lead to us feeling:
- reassured we can make decisions
- relieved or comforted by information
- confident to raise new questions or issues with our doctors
- eager to share what we find
- overwhelmed by information
- frightened by what we find
- frustrated by lack of information or an inability to find what we are looking for.
We may use the Internet to look for information for others. One American survey found that 12% of online adults believed the internet played a crucial or important role in helping another person cope with a major illness. Online caregivers said that it helped them to find:
- advice or support
- professional or expert services
- information or compare options.
There are many stories about the good and bad aspects of using health information on the web. But other than surveys, it hasn't been studied much. We do know that for some people, it has led to things like smoking less, increased social support, and decreased anxiety. Others have been harmed, such as a man who died when he self-medicated for cancer.
The best advice, summarised for health consumers in Health Information on the Internet is:
- Always consult your health professional about diagnosis, treatment or management of your health
- Never use the Internet for self diagnosis, treatment or management
- Be critical of a website and ask: Is it trustworthy? Is it user friendly?
- Be wary of online products for sale
- When you discuss online information with your health professional, summarise what you have found and write down a short list of questions.
Finding out more
Health Information on the Internet
Related CareSearch pages
Is it trustworthy?
Sources of Information lists high quality consumer websites
Last updated 26 May 2008