Summary
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.
Keywords
eHealth - evaluation - Internet
