42% of U.S. Consumers Use Social Media for Health Care Info [Survey]

PWC study: Consumers say info on social networks would affect decisions to select physicians, hospitals.

Two in five U.S. consumers – or 42 percent – say they have used social media to view health-related consumer reviews about treatments, physicians, and medical facilities, according to a PwC Health Research Institute survey. In addition, 41 percent of U.S. consumers say information they find on social networks would affect their decision to choose a hospital or doctor.

healthinfo-socialmedia2012

The trend isn’t new, though it does seem to be growing, with consumer confidence in the information they are finding through social contacts higher for some people than others.

Ninety percent of respondents from 18 to 24 years of age said they would trust medical information shared by others in their social media networks. This age demographic were also the most apt to share their own personal medical information online; 80 percent said they would, compared to less than half of the older 45- to 65-year-old survey participants.

Health status also played a role in a person’s likelihood to engage, trust, and share about health using social media. Those in better health were more likely to trust and share, though their less healthy counterparts were more engaged.

health-positive-negative-social-media

Those who are updating social contacts on their experiences with health care issues are more likely to share positive experiences than negative, though the difference is slight.

“The power of social media for health organizations is in listening and engaging with consumers on their terms. Social media has created a new customer service access point where consumers expect an immediate response,” Kelly Barnes, U.S. health industries leader for PwC, said in a statement. “Health organizations have an opportunity to use social media as a way to better listen, participate in discussions, and engage with consumers in ways that extend their interaction beyond a clinical encounter.”

While a 2010 study condemned the social media landscape as the “Wild West” when it comes to health and medical information, opinions seems to be changing.

This article was originally published on http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/news/2169462/-consumers-social-media-health-care-info-survey.

Subscribe to get your daily business insights

Whitepapers

US Mobile Streaming Behavior
Whitepaper | Mobile

US Mobile Streaming Behavior

5y

US Mobile Streaming Behavior

Streaming has become a staple of US media-viewing habits. Streaming video, however, still comes with a variety of pesky frustrations that viewers are ...

View resource
Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics for Media Groups
Whitepaper | Analyzing Customer Data

Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics for Media Groups

5y

Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics f...

Data is the lifeblood of so many companies today. You need more of it, all of which at higher quality, and all the meanwhile being compliant with data...

View resource
Learning to win the talent war: how digital marketing can develop its people
Whitepaper | Digital Marketing

Learning to win the talent war: how digital marketing can develop its peopl...

2y

Learning to win the talent war: how digital market...

This report documents the findings of a Fireside chat held by ClickZ in the first quarter of 2022. It provides expert insight on how companies can ret...

View resource
Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy
Report | Digital Transformation

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy

1m

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Exp...

Customers decide fast, influenced by only 2.5 touchpoints – globally! Make sure your brand shines in those critical moments. Read More...

View resource