If you follow health news on the internet or through local news media, you’re likely to be confused by the seemingly contradictory information. One analysis of 45 frequently cited studies found that 15 were eventually contradicted or found to be not as important as earlier thought. Many studies cited in the news may involve laboratory findings that have not been studied in humans or small, non-randomized trials that need to be confirmed by larger, long-term studies. Doctors know how to evaluate such information. Confused consumers can get assistance from their physicians or from web sites such as PatientInform.org (for commentary regarding the significance, strengths or limitations of the study) or HealthNewsReview.org (for a critique of the news report itself). [SOURCE: C.P. Kaiser, “Medical Information Overload Can Confuse and Mislead,” Diagnostic Imaging, October 1, 2005]

 Most Pleased with the Quality of Information They Get from Internet 
                                   

Among Americans going online to get health information, the vast majority are pleased with the quality of the material they receive. Sixty-two percent of survey respondents rated the quality either 'excellent' or 'very good'; 32 percent thought the quality was 'good.' No one rated the information as 'poor.' When asked what they look for as a sign of reliability for an Internet site, 72 percent said sponsorship by a medical society. Other factors cited included recommendation by a doctor or other health care professional and sponsorship by a university, hospital or health maintenance organization. Among 512 randomly selected patients, 53.5 percent said they used the Internet-most commonly for information about nutrition or diet, drug side effects or complications of medical therapy. About 41 percent of those using the Internet sought information regarding alternative medicine or second opinions about medical conditions. 
[SOURCE: "Patients' Use of the Internet for Medical Information," Medical Benefits, April 30, 2002]

Patients Want Info from Their Doctor 
                                                                                   

The information patients most want is "from my doctor's office," survey respondents indicated. Yet it's estimated that fewer than two percent of doctors are set up to communicate with their patients through e-mail or a web site. 
[SOURCE: Micaela Sullivan Fowler, "Consumer Health Information on the Internet," The Consumer Health Information Source Book, Edition 6, 2000]

Using E-Mail To Talk to Doctors

Nine of ten respondents to a 2002 Harris Interactive Poll said they liked the idea of using e-mail to communicate with their doctors about health problems. About a third of these were willing to pay for the service. A 2001 Harris Interactive Poll found that doctors who had been pushed by their patients to start using e-mail communication confirmed that these communications had improved patient satisfaction. [SOURCE: Susannah Fox, “Vital Decisions,” Pew/Internet & American Life, May 22, 2002]