The advent of a perfect public health tool

This is a fascinating insight into the weird and wonderful world of health-related terms that people type into search engines.  Who would have guessed the phrase "Where is my liver?" would be one of the top 10 searches starting with the words "where is"!

These terms provide great insights into what health topics people are curious about, what they're worried about and how they're educating themselves.

Heather Dougherty of Hitwise, an online data analytics firm, shares information and insights into the online landscape, drug recalls, and consumer behaviour. 

 

She talks about top search terms, spikes in search activity and what they mean, as well as where people are looking for information - e.g., 40% are looking at large information websites such as WebMD.  There are the expected trends regarding self-diagnosis and also an accurate reflection on current health & food related concerns, like H1N1 and salmonella outbreaks.

Heather concludes with 3 key takeaways:

• Internet is prevalent in everyone's everyday life - consumers are searching to self-diagnose and get second opinions
• The e-trail we leave behind is rich with potential insights
• Beware the narrative fallacy
   

I would raise the following questions:

• ·       Is this only for computer addicted folks?

Apparently not. It would appear that more and more internet users are utilising health websites as both a diagnostic tool and also an avenue for a second opinion.  This in turn is widening people’s understanding of available treatments and facilities.

• ·       How can Granddad benefit?

The stereotype of technophobic grandparents is surely on its way out – especially considering that 25% of people searching  for health related issues are over 55.

• ·        What if this was combined with bio-surveillance capability using EHR/EMR data?

This would be advent of a perfect public health tool.