ANDRÉ PICARD
Public Health Reporter
Wednesday, July 5, 2000

Toronto -- Canadians rely more on the media than their family doctor for health information, a new poll suggests.

Of those polled, 45 per cent cited the media -- including newspapers, magazines, the Internet and medical journals -- as their main source of information. Only 33 per cent cited their family physician as the No. 1 source, according to a consumer survey conducted by the HealthInsider and published by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Dale McMurchy, the consultant responsible for the HealthInsider, said the most interesting trends found in the numbers are the soaring dependence on the Internet and the willingness of consumers to use new technologies.

More than 8 per cent of Canadians said the Internet is their principal source of health information, up from virtually zero a couple of years ago, she said.

More important, the pollster said, is that among those who do not have a family physician (a group that is growing every day), almost 28 per cent depend principally on the Internet. Health-related Web sites are proliferating at a tremendous rate to meet that demand.

The study found that almost one-third of the respondents who rely on the Internet for health information use it for self-diagnosis. Another one-third get on-line to confirm or dispute a physician's diagnosis.

Those who turn to the Web seem particularly concerned with efficiency and cost-effectiveness, Ms. McMurchy said.

The consultant said the public also seems to be clamouring to use the Internet as a means of improving access to health information and having more control over their health.

The survey found that 84 per cent said they would like to be able to ask physicians questions electronically. A similar number, 83 per cent, want to be able to make appointments on-line. Another 58 per cent feel that referrals to specialists should be available by e-mail, and 41 per cent believe that prescriptions should be refilled over the Internet rather than having to visit the physician's office.

About 40 per cent of respondents said an electronic exchange would facilitate discussion of embarrassing issues with a physician. One-third of those polled believe they should be able to get their annual check-up on-line, while one in five said it would be a great way to get test results.

The pollster questions about 2,500 people on a rolling basis, allowing the consulting firm to track changes in public opinion and identify trends.