Evaluation of health-related Internet use in Germany.
OBJECTIVE
An eHealth survey was conducted in a major Bavarian region in order to evaluate health-related Internet use in Germany.


METHODS
A specific questionnaire was developed by the authors to collect sociodemographic data as well as data on general and health-related Internet use. This questionnaire was distributed to patients visiting medical practices in the above mentioned Bavarian region.


RESULTS
Whereas many Internet users look for health-related information and products on the Internet, more advanced web-based techniques such as chat rooms and electronic patient records are hardly used.


CONCLUSIONS
Although modern information technologies have the potential to enable citizens to handle their own health-related information in a self-determined and informed manner, at present the general population in Germany is hardly taking this opportunity.
Birkmann
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C
Department of Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander-University, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. christine.birkmann@mik.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Dumitru
R C
RC
Prokosch
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HU
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires