While women are voracious online health information seekers, they prefer that physicians provide it, according to a recent study by the Georgetown University Medical School's
department of obstetrics and gynecology and HealthyMe.md. HealthyMe.md is an online content provider for physician practices.
The survey, conducted last month among women ages 25 to 49, found that 73% of women use the Internet to surf for health information and another 73% would prefer to receive this
information from either their physician's Web site or one belonging to a medical society. These sites are considered more credible than commercial sites like WebMD.com and
DrKoop.com.
The survey also found that:
- 48% of women want the ability to schedule physician appointments online; and
- 40% want to communicate with their physicians via email.
Women also are highly receptive to daily health news briefings, product safety recalls and electronic medical newsletters offered by physician Web sites. (HealthyMe.md, Rob
Thompson, 901/685-8172)