As reported by MediaPost seventy-one percent of Web users seek health information online, but the vast majority are disappointed with the quality of material available, according to a new report by JupiterResearch.
Of the more than 2,000 Web users surveyed in May, a mere 16 percent said they actually find the health information they're looking for online.
What type of material are those users going on line to find?
- 68% want to learn more about specific medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, …)
- 43% are looking for general health information, and
- 42% are learning more about particular drugs.
Interest in online health information has spurred the major search engines – Google, Yahoo and MSN – to span offspring of their own specifically focused on health, like Yahoo Health and MSN Health & Fitness, as well as dedicated search sites like WebMD and Gateway are gaining in prevalence across the web.
And as previously blogged “Is there a doctor in the house” web users are flocking to sites such as Healthy Ontario that offer “Ask an Expert” interactions, and provides information on an A to Z range of health conditions and related topics, are providing the general public access to information that was previously relegated to reference libraries and doctors’ offices.
"Despite strong demand for health information, most online consumers' search experiences are negative," said Monique Levy, JupiterResearch Senior Analyst and author of the report. "The combination of high demand and poor experience means there is a significant opportunity for better engines and products in the market."