Consumer Perspective on Health Information Technology

July 17, 2009

Susannah FoxPew Internet & American Life Project

Presented to: National Partnership for Women & Families

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Internet use, 2000-09

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•79% of adults in the U.S. use the internetup from 46% in 2000

• 93% of teens ages 12-17 use the internetup from 73% in 2000

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63% of adults have broadband at home

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More bandwidth = more health engagement

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“We are lab rats tapping out messages on the bars of our cages.” – an e-patient in 2002

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The social life of health information

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The right information at the right time, from a health professional or a peer

• 59% of e-patients have accessed user-generated content related to health and health care.

• 20% of e-patients have created such content online.

• 60% of e-patients say they or someone they know has been helped by following medical advice or health information found online (up from 31% in 2006).

• 3% of e-patients report harm (stable since 2006).

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“A screen that ships without a mouse ships broken”- Clay Shirky

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Questions to consider

Who’s not engaged in online health and what are the implications for health IT development?

What do consumers find frustrating?

What do consumers want to know about health IT?

What do consumers want to do with health IT?