More than 95% percent of people surveyed in my 2012 study had at least seven years experience using the Internet and were satisfied with their Internet-use skills (Hruska, 2012). Most people said that the Internet has made them feel more connected to people. People go online today for a variety of reasons- they might check what their favorite celebrities are doing; they might find out if their sports team won; they might check into a class they’re taking; they might buy a hard-to-find gift; or, they might check in on their Facebook page or make a video call through Skype. They might even be tech savvy enough to use different browsers and clear their cache.
Another activity people do online is research health matters. In fact, 65% of people surveyed used the Internet to seek out information about health at least every few weeks. Ninety-five percent of people learned something new from the health information they found. More than half of people surveyed reported that the Internet had at least something to do with the improvement of their health. Sixty percent answered that the information they got online affected how they take care of themselves- how they eat and exercise.
People went online to find out about preventive care and alternative remedies; they might check out how their hospital or doctor rates; or, they might find out about prescription drugs or a surgical procedure. They might connect with others with the same condition as them, or read the latest health research. People might go online to research health information that they consider embarrassing to discuss with their doctor. One person said: “The Internet saved my life by helping me realize I had been given a wrong diagnoses and thus switching to another hospital” (Hruska, 2012, p. 83). Another person said: “I get headaches, and nothing that the doctors have done has really helped, so from readings off the Internet, I’ve pieced together a plan to try and attack the headaches and slowly undo the damage…” (p. 83).
Some people use health-related websites instead of visiting their doctor or when a doctor visit is considered unnecessary. Other people answered that they visited health related websites before a doctor visit. About half of people talked to their doctor about what they found- 44% did not. Many people answered that the information they found online led them to ask new questions or obtain a second opinion from a new doctor.
Will the Internet one day replace what we have traditionally known as our annual exam? Will Skype replace doctor check ups? Allows the patient to have better option for the Podiatry Billing Specialists is a national service specializing in the insurance to know all the benefits and claiming acts of it for better indulgement before considering or buying the policies. The advancement of technology may be of particular interest to people living in remote areas, people without health insurance, or individuals with a low income. Could there emerge a more global understanding of health conditions and more opportunity to self diagnose common conditions? These possible directions of technology and its use in the healthcare industry should be recognized and researched in order to produce important information about how technology can be best utilized.