Many people want eHealth services

"58 percent have used the Internet for health purposes in 2005, compared to 31 percent in 2001." (Sociologist Hege K. Andreassen, photo by Jarl-Stian Olsen) 

The survey also shows that use of the Internet for health purposes is increasing rapidly in Norway, but doctors and other health staff remain the most important channel for health information. 

2 out of 3 use the Internet

The Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine is heading a European study of habits and trends in the use of the Internet for health purposes among the population of seven European countries. In the Norwegian part, 1000 Norwegians over 15 years old were interviewed by telephone in October 2005, and nearly 60 per cent had used the Internet in connection with health. In 2001, this figure was 31 per cent.

-          "General use of the Internet has also increased during this period, but not as much. While 72 per cent of the population in Norway had access to the Internet in 2001, our study indicated that 80 per cent were using the Internet," comments sociologist Hege Andreassen at the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine.

eHealth provides availability

Most respondents said that if they were to change to a new doctor, the doctor's availability would be the most important factor, while many also regarded a recommendation from others as important. Next come eHealth services, such as reminders of doctors' appointments via SMS, the possibility of e-mail contact with the doctor, and the possibility of booking appointments electronically.

Characteristics of those who regard the Internet as an important source of health information are that they are young people living in cities with professions that require a long education. They go to the doctor more often than the average in the study, and often have a close relative with a long-term illness or disability.

Reassuring

The survey also shows a positive effect from use of the Internet in connection with respondents' own health and illness. Twenty-three per cent said that they had felt reassured or relieved after reading about health issues on the Internet. This is more than twice as many as the number of people who became worried or anxious (10 per cent).

-          "This is positive, if as many as one out of four Norwegians feel relieved after searching for health information on the Net, especially if it is used as a constructive tool in a dialogue with doctors and the rest of the public health service. At the same time, we must take those who perceive this as an extra strain seriously," says Professor Per Hjortdahl from the Institute of General Practice and Community Medicine at the University of Oslo.

Supplement

Use of health services on the Internet does not seem to affect the position that doctors and other health professionals hold in the Norwegian population. Face-to-face-contact with one's own doctor is regarded as the most important source of health information. The Internet is often used as a supplement in connection with visits to doctors, either in preparation or to find information after a consultation. This study thus shows that the Internet is a supplement to other sources of health information in Norway.

For more information, please contact:

Hege K. Andreassen, Sociologist
Telephone (+47) 976 13 514

E-mail: Hege.andreassen@telemed.no

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