e-Patients, otherwise known as internet patients, are health consumers who use the web to find information about certain medical conditions.
These savvy surfers also use electronic communication to source information for family and friends as well as their own ailments.
e-Patients, otherwise known as internet patients, are health consumers who use the web to find information about certain medical conditions.
These savvy surfers also use electronic communication to source information for family and friends as well as their own ailments.
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e-Patients are equipped, enabled, empowered, engaged, equals, emancipated and experts.
e-Patients report two outcomes of their health information searches ::
- better health information and services
- different [not always better!] relationship with their doctor
How do patients differ from e-patients?
| Patient | e-Patient |
| passive role | active [engaged] role |
| information provided to them | seek out information [on the internet] |
| top down delivery of healthcare | partner in healthcare |
| “paternalistic” medicine | “participatory” medicine |
Emerging e-patient activities ::
- 47% of adults have used the internet to get information about doctors or other health professionals
- 41% have read someone else’s commentary or experience about health or medical issues on an online news group or blog
- 38% have gotten information about hospitals
- 33% have gotten information about how to lose or control their weight
- 27% have gotten information about health insurance
- 24% have consulted rankings or reviews online of hospitals
- 12% have gotten information about how to stay healthy on an overseas trip
- 24% have consulted rankings or reviews of doctors
- 19% have signed up to receive updates about health or medical issues
- 13% have listened to a podcast about health or medical issues
- 5% have reviewed a doctor
- 4% have reviewed a hospital
* Data is extracted from the Pew Internet and Life Project Report