While patients still value their physician as a primary source of information, they are increasingly conducting their own health research online. This report examines the patient demand for health information and the current online offerings from pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare players. Scope:
- Presents physicians' opinion on patient information-seeking behavior from Datamonitor's 2003 Physician Insight Survey
- Assesses how pharmaceutical companies are currently providing consumers with health information both offline and online
- Explores the key eHealth trends that will impact patient demands for and pharmaceutical provision of health information
Report Highlights
Patient needs are generally well served through DTC advertising, awareness campaigns, drug and disease websites. However, there are still opportunities for pharmaceutical companies to enhance their information services, both online and offline, and through physician practice websites.
Physician opinion indicates that the majority of patients who bring with them general health, disease, treatment, or specific drug information are most likely to be women aged 35 to 54.
As patient empowerment increases, driven by the media and the rise of patient advocacy groups, the demand for the provision of health information for consumers through the Internet will increase further.
Benefits
- Identify key trends in the age and gender of patients looking for different types of health information
- Understand the information needs of patients at various stages during the patient treatment process
- Optimize the opportunities to reach patients through online information channels
51 pages
Sent in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
