Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government
Veterans Benefits and Health Care About VA Find a VA Location

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Who searches the internet for health information?

Bundorf MK, Wagner TH, Singer SJ, Baker LC. Who searches the internet for health information? Health services research. 2006 Jun 1; 41(3 Pt 1):819-36.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.    Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions


Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To determine what types of consumers use the Internet as a source of health information. DATA SOURCES: A survey of consumer use of the Internet for health information conducted during December 2001 and January 2002. STUDY DESIGN: We estimated multivariate regression models to test hypotheses regarding the characteristics of consumers that affect information seeking behavior. DATA COLLECTION: Respondents were randomly sampled from an Internet-enabled panel of over 60,000 households. Our survey was sent to 12,878 panel members, and 69.4 percent of surveyed panel members responded. We collected information about respondents' use of the Internet to search for health information and to communicate about health care with others using the Internet or e-mail within the last year. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Individuals with reported chronic conditions were more likely than those without to search for health information on the Internet. The uninsured, particularly those with a reported chronic condition, were more likely than the privately insured to search. Individuals with longer travel times for their usual source of care were more likely to use the Internet for health-related communication than those with shorter travel times. CONCLUSIONS: Populations with serious health needs and those facing significant barriers in accessing health care in traditional settings turn to the Internet for health information.




Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.