Questionnaire survey of California consumers' use and rating of sources ofhealth care information including the Internet

Objective To understand how Californians use and rate various health inform ation sources, including the Internet. Research design Computer-assisted te lephone interviews through which surveys were conducted in English or Spani sh. Subjects A household sample generated by random digit dialing. The samp le included 1007 adults (18+), 407 (40%) of whom had access to the Internet . Main outcome measures Past health information sources used, their usefuln ess and ease of use; future health information sources, which are trusted a nd distrusted; and concerns about integrating the Internet into future heal th information seeking and health care behaviors. Results Physicians and he alth care providers are more trusted for information than any other source, including the Internet. Among those with Internet access, a minority use i t to obtain health information, and a minority is "very likely" to use e-ma il to communicate with medical professionals or their own doctors and nurse s, to refill prescriptions, or to make doctor appointments. Also, most of t hose with Internet access are "unlikely" to make their medical records avai lable via the Internet, even if securely protected. Conclusions The public, including frequent Internet: users, has major concerns about the confident iality of electronic medical records. Legislation may not assuage these fea rs and a long-term, open, collaborative process involving consumers and org anizations from all the health care sectors may be needed for full public a ssurance.