Women’s Health Information Online Meghan McGreevey Randi Weiss LIS 391

Part I: Researching the demand side of women’s health information: How are women using online information?

Differences in Health Seekers Women are more active health seekers and they feel the benefits of online searches make them a notable health resource (Women’s different online lives – PEW). 61% of women with online access get health information online; only 47% of men have used the Internet for medical information (Women’s favorite web activities – PEW).

Who is getting medial information online? 43% of new Internet users visit health-related sites; 58% of those who have been online for over a year seek health-related material (Women’s favorite web activities – PEW). 83% of health seekers visited health-related sites from their home computers as opposed to logging on at work (Case-study: The last time each health- seeker went online – PEW).

What kind of health information are Internet users looking for online? Health seekers rely on their search skills to use the Internet as a library resource (What health seekers want and how they hunt for it – PEW). 81% of health seekers find sites with an Internet search (Case-study: The last time each health seeker went online – PEW). 62% don’t know about sites before they visit them (What health seekers want… – PEW). Health seekers rarely interact with doctors online.

What kind of health information are users looking for online – Cont’d 62% of users don’t know about sites before they visit them (For research, more than interaction with providers – PEW). Most go to sites for research and reference purposes; few use it to communicate with their caregivers or buy medicine – less than 10% of Internet health users have ordered pharmaceuticals online. 91% of health seekers are mostly interested in investigating specific physical and mental ailments and their searches often occur in conjunction with visits to the doctor.

How is information used once it’s accessed? Only 5% use the Internet health information instead of visiting a doctor (Case-study). Health seekers in search of specific health information usually visit more than four sites on a specific topic. 42% of health seekers bookmark health sites.

Why do people go online for medical information instead of utilizing other resources? 93% of health seekers cite convenience; information is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. 80% cite anonymity. Health seekers feel there is more information available online than from other sources.

Accuracy of Online Health Information Most online health information is not monitored for accuracy or quality (Verify the quality of information) 82% of health seekers worry about getting false information online Internet users with more information are more likely to check the source of information –Health seekers under 40 are more likely to believe information found online

Health Seeker Summary 92% of health seekers feel the information they find online is useful (Case-study) 70% say the information they found online affected their decision about how to treat an illness 50% say the information lead them to ask their doctor new questions or get a second opinion 28% say the information they found online affected their decision to see a doctor

Health Seeker Summary – Cont’d Health seekers are more protective of their privacy than the general Internet population (The absolute value of anonymity) 16% of health seekers chose the Internet because it provides anonymity Only 9% of health seekers participate in online support groups in contrast to the 36% who have visited a support group site Most health information is available without a significant trade-off by giving up personal information

Part II: Researching the supply side of women’s health information – the information presented on Web sites

Similarities among the Web sites Provide health information and many resources to women Promote and support female diversity Offer a political presence by recognizing the need for women-specific health care and research Become a tool for the media and the doctors and nurses in the health care industry

Differences among the Web sites OBGYN.net: The Universe of Women’s Health (OBGYN) Provides an extensive forum with replies from multiple doctors Helps educate the health care industry by supplying information for doctors, nurses, and others in the medical industry

Differences among the Web sites Planned Parenthood Federation of America parenthood. org Provides a political presence by supporting self-determination (women’s right to choose) Focuses on specific areas of women’s health, including reproductive health Has a physical space – 900 health care facilities across the U.S. to increase their credibility

Differences among the Web sites National Women’s Health Resource Center (NWHRC) women.org Creates campaigns to educate women and help them embrace their gender and all its medical conditions Openly admits to taking help from corporations Publishes material from other organizations who do not have Web site resources

Differences among the Web sites Canadian Women’s Health Network (CWHN) indexeng.html Political focus by trying to change “inequitable health policies and practices” in women’s health Created and lead only by women from different organizations across Canada Publishes material for organizations who do not have Web site resources

Differences among the Web sites Society for Women’s Health Research (the Society) health.org Improves women’s health through research, especially research on how women are affected differently by medical conditions and surgeries

Differences among the Web sites The National Women’s Information Center (4woman) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sponsors this Web site, which may make viewers question if there is a bias Provides a tool-free number for women to call with questions at any time

Differences among the Web sites National Women’s Health Network (NWHN) Offers a dominant political tone because their mission is prominently placed at the top of the Web site and it states, “A voice for women, a network for change” Aims to “affect policy and support consumer decision making about women’s health”

Differences among the Web sites Women’s Health Matters (WHM) healthmatters.ca Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Centre provide this organization with a physical space and added credibility Supplies a guided forum, called “Le Club,” which provides a sense of community for the users

Differences among the Web sites Estronaut: A Forum for Women’s Health (Estronaut) com People with an expertise in research methodology and statistics maintain this Web site The organization checks actual data from published reports to make sure they are correct “We were the first to warn of the dangers of Fen-Phen (1996), the ineffectiveness of Fosamax (1996), and the problems with Tamoxifen (1998)”

Web site maintenance problems Need funding to continue doing research and maintaining the information placed on the Web site – might have to go to the corporate realm Extensive forums are difficult to keep up (Example: OBGYN’s problems with getting doctor’s time, viruses attacking the forums, and users inappropriately using the forums)

Comparison to general health Web sites Similarities: both provide essential health information to their viewers Differences because general health Web sites do not: –offer the interactive services, such as forums, campaigns, and toll-free call centers –support the political causes for an improvement in health care and research