A survey of patient satisfaction and use of the internet for health information

Summary To survey patients/carers’ use of the Internet and other sources for health information, to determine how useful health information over the Internet was to patients/carers and to assess the potential use of validated health information on the Internet by our patients. A multidisciplinary questionnaire survey of the use of the Internet for health information was performed. The study population consisted of patients and accompanying adults 18 years and older who attended outpatient clinics at Nottingham City Hospital for a period of two weeks in July 2005. The questionnaire captured information on demographics, frequency of use of the Internet, sources of health information, satisfaction rating of health information obtained on the Internet and their interest in using trustworthy health information Internet site if made available. Of the 800 questionnaires sent out, 663 responded (83%). Sixty three percent of patients had access to the Internet. 42% of the participants had used the Internet to access health information prior to this survey. 7.5% of the participants who have no access to the Internet, have had someone else look up health information on the Internet on their behalf. 95% of the respondents who had used the Internet for health information rated such information between average to excellent. 82% of those with Internet access and 21% of those with no Internet access would be interested in using trustworthy health information on the internet. Nearly half of our population of secondary care patients have used the internet to access health information and most are interested in using validated health information. Delivery of validated health information via the internet should be a priority for health care providers.