Consumers hold in high regard the recommendations hospitals and physicians give to health Web sites and use them as online seals of approval. The survey, by LaurusHealth.com,
confirms that healthcare consumers are more apt to rely on trusted, offline traditional resources for determining the online credibility of health Web sites.
The survey, based on 1,000 adults, was done on behalf of VHA Inc., a nationwide network of 1,900 community-owned healthcare organizations. It found that:
- 67% of consumers polled consider health Web sites recommended by their physicians to be the most credible and trustworthy;
- 61% believe Web sites sponsored by their doctors are credible; and
- 56% trust health sites affiliated with their local hospital followed by 51% who believe sites sponsored by an alliance of doctors and hospitals provide high-quality health
information.
(VHA, Barry Pound, 972/830-6907)