Reasons for Consulting a Doctor on the Internet
Author Information
Author(s): Göran Umefjord, Göran Petersson, Katarina Hamberg, Stephen Borowitz
Primary Institution: Nyland Health Center
Hypothesis
Why do individuals choose to consult previously-unknown doctors on the Internet?
Conclusion
An Internet-based Ask the Doctor service is primarily consulted because it is convenient, but it may also be valuable for individuals with needs that regular health care services have not been able to meet.
Supporting Evidence
- 52% of participants chose the service for its convenience.
- 36% appreciated the opportunity to ask questions anonymously.
- 21% felt that doctors were too busy to answer questions.
- 16% found it difficult to find time to visit a doctor.
Takeaway
People like to ask doctors questions online because it's easy and they can do it whenever they want, even if they feel shy about their health issues.
Methodology
A web survey was conducted among users of the Ask the Doctor service, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data on their reasons for consulting doctors online.
Potential Biases
The survey may have biased responses due to the nature of online consultations and the self-selection of participants.
Limitations
The study's low response rate (34%) may not represent the views of all users, and the results should not be generalized beyond the surveyed population.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 322 men (26%) and 901 women (74%), with an approximate mean age of 41 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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