SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 24, 2007 -- A new study shows
that Lasik consumers are going online for health
information in increasing numbers. They favor general health information
websites and specific procedure-focused sites rather than healthcare
company sites.
The survey, conducted by Woburn, Mass.-based Prospectiv, shows
that of the 800 nationwide consumers who responded to the online
poll June 20-22, 54% favor general health Web sites and 37% prefer
specific issue-focused sites, such as sites about Lasik.
"Consumers want to go online to get information and they're doing
it now more than ever," says Jere Doyle, president/CEO of Prospectiv.
Educational e-newsletters, health-focused Web sites and micro-sites
focused on specific ailments have proven very effective in this
regard.
Prospectiv's 2007 Consumer Preference Index poll also reveals
that 75% view the Internet as their most trusted resource for ailment
and drug treatment-related information, followed by broadcast media
(15%) and magazines (10%).
Respondents also shared their frequency of conducting online
health-related research. While the majority (40%) said that they
had conducted online research only two times or less during the
past six months, 33% reported research frequency of at least once
a month, followed by every other month (27%).
