More and more patients seek health information on the Internet

Many people are searching the net for information on specific diseases, exchange views online with other stakeholders or order drugs via the computer. Overall, Internet usage in health matters from 2005 to 2007 from 44 percent to 57 percent of the German population increases. This proves the EU-sponsored study "Health trends 2005-2007", in which, inter alia, the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg is involved.Approximately 32 percent of Germans have the network in the year 2007 at least once a month to inquire used in the medical field, but also to communicate with peers or with health providers. In 2005, the percentage still at 23 percent. The online purchase of medicines in this period fell by six percent to 18 percent of the population increased.

"The medical profession must be prepared that the number of informed and citizenship, committed to their health problems in the Internet for information before they visit a doctor exercise becomes bigger," explained Professor Hans-Ulrich Prokosch. But the online purchase of medicines and communication with the doctor via e-mail will gain importance.