Use of the Internet as a resource of health information by patients: a clinic-based study in the Indian population.

BACKGROUND

There is abundant literature documenting that the Internet is fast changing the way patients access health-related information, learn about their illnesses, and make healthcare-related decisions. However, there is hardly any data regarding Indian patients accessing health-related information available on the Internet.

AIMS

To determine patients' use of the Internet as a medical information resource and to determine their experience, their perceptions of the quality and reliability of the information available.

SETTING

The study was carried out in the outpatient clinic of an urban, tertiary care private sector hospital in November 2004.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Our survey instrument consisted of an anonymous single-page questionnaire. Eight hundred and eighty consecutive adults aged 18-70 years, attending the general outpatient clinic of a tertiary care private hospital completed the questionnaire.

RESULTS

Two hundred and eighty-one (32%) patients acknowledged surfing the Internet, while 75% (212/281) of them acknowledged that they accessed health-related information. Amongst those who accessed the Internet, 130 (61%) found the information on the net to be of average quality. Almost all patients (211/212) felt that the information served the purpose and 95% (201/212) also found also found it to be reliable. Only 7% (21/281) patients were aware of the presence of any quality standards pertaining to health information sites and none could name any accreditation standard.

CONCLUSIONS

One in four patients attending the private set-up is using the Internet for health information. A majority of patients find the information on the net reliable and of good quality. Awareness about health information quality standards is a rarity.