Caregivers Turn To Online Health Resources

By Katie Wike, contributing writer

If your patients have someone caring for them, chances are they are a “digital caregiver,” according to a report from Edelman. Their report notes several key findings about caregivers, including:

• they are relying on digital health information more than ever
• they want online health content that is detailed, factual and puts them in control
• they share — but not always publicly
• they trust owned content
• they will share sponsored content that is entertaining, but informational content will help them change behaviors

According to MobiHealth News, Edelman surveyed 1,500 U.S. adults — many of which are caregivers — who are responsible for the health decisions of a parent or other relative. Fifty-eight percent reported they have looked up information about medications online. Additionally, 57 percent of caregivers looked up information about health symptoms, 54 percent looked up information about specific diseases and conditions, and 50 percent looked up information about individual doctors.

Among respondents, the most popular reason caregivers went online was to look up health symptoms (62 percent). Fifty-one percent of respondents said they looked up information on doctors and 50 percent looked up information about medications. Fifty percent looked up information on specific diseases and conditions.

Additionally, Edelman found 77 percent of caregivers said they shared online health information with others in the last year. While many shared information only privately, 76 percent of caregivers shared information in person or by email and 34 percent said they shared information on social media.