Use of the Internet and E-Mail for Medical Advice and Information by Parents of a University Pediatric Faculty Practice

In April 2002, 66% of adults in the United States (137 million) reported having Internet access.1 2 With this widespread dissemination of Internet technology, consumers have an increased demand for Internet medical applications. Fifty percent to 60% of adults with Internet access use the Internet for medical information.3-5 Ninety percent of Internet users would like to communicate with their physicians online and 37% of patients would be willing to pay for this communication.2,6 In contrast, the majority of physicians express disinterest in communicating with patients by e-mail.34 The purpose of this research was to determine the sources and quality of medical advice and information used by parents in a university group pediatric faculty practice, and to determine whether they had or would like to communicate with health care providers by e-mail.