J Korean Soc Med Inform.  2007 Sep;13(3):207-220.

Survey on the consumer preference for the internet health information of the patients' online community members

• Jeong SH
• Kim J
• Kim T
• Park S
• Shin Y
• Lee S

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was carried out to obtain basic data required to plan and develop consumer-centered internet health information site for Korean population.
METHODS
An internet survey was conducted on 5 internet patient community sites between 23 January and 5 February, 2007. A total of 958 surveys were completed and included in the study. Data were analyzed with descriptive analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis, and stepwise logistic regression analysis using SPSS version 12.0.
RESULTS
According to our logistic regression analysis, the more internet usage, foreign country residents, members of breast cancer internet community, any workers except sales, and higher level of necessity/usefulness/reliability showed a higher Odds ratio for frequency of internet health information usage. Educational status, frequency of using internet, importance, necessity, usefulness, reliability of internet health information (p<.001), income, and satisfaction of internet health information (p<.05) were statistically significant in the frequency of internet health information usage.
CONCLUSION
Above characteristics should be considered for planning to develop consumer-centered internet health information portals.

Keyword

Consumer Preference; Consumer Health Information; Internet; Patient Community

MeSH Terms

Breast Neoplasms
Commerce
Consumer Health Information
Consumer Satisfaction*
Educational Status
Humans
Internet*
Logistic Models
Odds Ratio