Internet as a means of Developing Health Status: A Research on Internet Usage of Users and Their Expectations

Internet as a means of Developing Health Status: A Research on Internet Usage of Users and Their Expectations

Demirel, Mustafa
Tekin, Ayse
Özbek, Sercan
Kaya, Esin

Internet is a communication network and source of knowledge used extensively in many areas. Its use in healthcare field is increasing day by day. Internet users search for a lot of subjects such as medical knowledge, diseases, treatment options, drugs, etc. Increasing number of health sites, whose numbers increase in parallel with those of internet users in healthcare field, is an important means of sustaining individual health and increasing healthcare quality of the individual. On the other hand, the quality, reliability of them and their possible potentials to harm ones health are being discussed. The aim of the research is to determine for why internet users use internet and what their expectations from these sites are. The research was conducted with 586 internet users over the age of 18 who applied to polyclinics of Burdur Public Hospital and Burdur Maternity and Pediatric Hospital between 10.03.2008 and 01.07.2008. Of 586 internet users participated in the research, 556 (94,9%) had searched for healthcare at least for a time. Internet users mostly searched for diseases (66,2%),food, nutrition and dieting (45,7%). 30,4% of internet users say that the information they get via internet is very influential on their decisions, 62,4% say them it is less influential, while 7,2% say it not influential at all. The most important expectations of internet users (73,6%); however, is that web sites be designed and arranged by doctors or specialist of the related fields.

Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed

2010-06

531