Internet use for health care activities increasing - Brief Article

AORN Journal,  Sept, 2002  

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The number of people who use the Internet continues to increase, and the number of people who use it to communicate with their physicians and order medications is increasing as well, according to a recent Harris Interactive survey. The increase in these activities, however, varies from country to country.

The survey of more than 1,300 people in the United States, France, Germany, and Japan found that people in the United States are most open to using the Internet for health care related reasons. Americans, however, are the least open to visiting web sites not developed in their country.

This survey also revealed the following information.

* The majority of respondents in all countries support pharmaceutical companies using the Internet to communicate directly with consumers. Americans showed the most support, and the Japanese showed the least.

* If pharmaceuticals could be purchased via the Internet, Americans and the Japanese would be the most likely of those surveyed to do so.

* Concern about using web sites not based in their own country is highest among Americans and the Japanese.

* Most respondents, with the highest number of positive responses from Americans and Germans, say they would use the Internet to communicate with their physician if the opportunity were available.

* A majority of respondents from Japan, France, and the United States said that their respective governments should regulate online health care information somewhat.

Harris Interactive Reports on Future Use of the Internet in 4 Countries in Relation to Prescriptions, Physician Communication and Health Information (news release, Rochester, NY: Harris Interactive, June 21, 2002) http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/printerfriend.asp? NewsID=467 (accessed 24 June 2002).

COPYRIGHT 2002 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group