Last Night The Internet Saved My Life

Transcription

1 Last Night The Internet Saved My Life Digital Health Report 2015 Produced by

2 The age of self-diagnosis and always-on healthcare Our always-on, on-demand world has created an expectation that services - including healthcare - should be delivered where and when we want them. It s not surprising, therefore, that the internet and new technology has changed the way we manage our health and how we seek to understand symptoms when we are ill. Google has become the first port of call for checking worrying symptoms. Mobile technology and wearable tech is helping us to manage our diets and track our fitness. Social media means we can gain support from others who are living with the same health concerns as ourselves, no matter how rare or embarrassing. And video GP consultations (such as those provided by ) are taking our use of technology to the next level, giving us real choice in how we access traditional health services. This report looks at the extent to which the explosion in digital technology has changed our behaviour and; how we use technology and what it reveals about our attitude to health.

3 When we feel unwell - we turn to the internet The internet has become our first port of call when symptoms of illness arise. On average we are more likely to Google our symptoms before consulting our partner, family or friends. Online research also comes before consulting a professional GP or pharmacist. Men are still marginally more likely to ask their partner for advice (presumably, just before that partner fires up a laptop and does the research for them!). This trend remains true across all age groups surveyed between 18 and 65. Only the over 65s say that they are more likely to ask a partner or medical professional for advice before looking online.

4 Google my symptoms Q Ask my partner what they think If you start to feel unwell or experience symptoms for no apparent reason, what do you do? Please indicate on a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 means extremely likely and 1 means not likely at all Book a doctors appointment Visit a pharmacy for advice Ask my mum/dad/sibling what they think Do nothing Ask a friend what they think Ask a relative what they think ALL WOMEN MEN

5 UK Health Search Index Most Common Health Searches 1 Back Pain Diarrhoea 94 3 Depression 89 4 Rheumatism 85 5 Multiple Sclerosis 79 6 Meningitis 78 7 Chlamydia 72 8 Ovulation 63 9 Lupus Diabetes 52 Health searches a growing habit To better understand this trend, we analysed data from over 61 million internet searches carried out in last 12 months, looking at 160 of the most common health enquiries. In the last year the number of health searches carried out in the UK increased by 19% - an increase of an average 848,820 searches each month. The themes of our searches indicate a mixture of immediate symptoms requiring better understanding (back pain and diarrhoea) and less common conditions about which we want to build our understanding or eliminate as a worry (e.g. meningitis and lupus). Index: Most Common Search = 100

6 Top Places Searching for Each Condition 1 Back Pain 100 Liverpool Illness Hotspots Certain areas in the UK, such as Surrey, Essex and Liverpool, were more preoccupied with some of the most commonly searched terms than others. Back pain and depression were most commonly searched by Liverpudlians, those in Essex were particularly concerned about STIs and reproduction issues, while those in Surrey are most likely to search for more serious, rare conditions such as lupus and meningitis. 2 Diarrhoea 94 Shropshire 3 Depression 89 Liverpool 4 Rheumatism 85 Belfast 5 Multiple Sclerosis 79 London 6 Meningitis 78 Surrey 7 Chlamydia 72 Essex 8 Ovulation 63 Essex 9 Lupus 62 Surrey 10 Diabetes 52 Hertfordshire Index: Most Common Search = 100

7 South East 13.67% North West 11.10% London 10.97% East of England 10.49% West Midlands 8.84% South West 8.72% Scotland 8.42% Yorkshire 8.21% East Midlands 7.14% Wales 5.20% North East 4.40% Northern Ireland 2.80% The UK s Self-Diagnosis Hotspots: Regions The research shows that self-diagnosing online is more popular in the South East than in any other region. The North West and London follow closely behind in second and third place. Meanwhile, the North East and Northern Ireland are regions which are currently the slowest to pick up on the trend. Percentages relate to a share of the UK total searches.

8 The UK s Self-Diagnosis Hotspots: Places 16 Liverpool is the self-diagnosis capital of the UK, according to the data, with a higher proportion of searches coming from the area than anywhere else in the UK Cardiff, Surrey, London and Sheffield followed closely behind in the top five places with the most health-related internet searches happening. 8 1 Liverpool 5.99% 16 Aberdeen 3.33% 9 2 Cardiff 5.86% 17 Shropshire 3.08% 3 Surrey 5.74% 18 Plymouth 2.70% 4 London 5.63% 19 Nottingham 2.57% 5 Sheffield 5.01% 20 Bournemouth 2.37% 6 Glasgow 4.86% 21 Northampton 2.16% 7 Norwich 4.82% 22 Brighton 1.96% 1 LIVERPOOL SHEFFIELD Newcastle 4.75% 23 Bristol 1.75% 9 Belfast 4.15% 24 Cambridge 1.72% 10 Edinburgh 3.91% 25 Oxford 1.72% 11 Leeds 3.64% 26 Reading 1.64% 12 Southampton 3.62% 27 Derby 1.57% 13 Manchester 3.49% 28 Hertfordshire 0.94% CARDIFF LONDON SURREY 7 14 Essex 3.43% 29 Milton Keynes 0.72% 15 Birmingham 3.39% 30 York 0.64% Percentages relate to a share of the UK total searches.

9 Countries responsible for most health searches * 1 United States United Kingdom 87 3 Australia 74 The global picture Extending this analysis to the rest of the world, the UK is second only to the US for its volume of health-related searches. 4 Canada 67 5 Ireland 67 6 New Zealand 53 7 Trinidad & Tobago 46 8 South Africa 46 9 Singapore Philippines 41 Index: Most Common Search = 100 * English language health searches only

10 Most people now use technology to better manage health 22.8% Monitor exercise levels including running, walking, cycling etc 17% Establish body mass index Over half of us (58%) are actively using technology as a way to manage our health and wellbeing. Once again this trend is consistent across all age groups apart from the over 65s. But even here, over a third (36.8%) of people are regular users of health technology. 16.9% Monitor heart rate 15.2% Establish daily diet/calorie intake The health applications are wide and varied. Amongst the most common uses of personal smartphones, tables and computers are to manage health are: Z Z Z 12.9% Monitor sleep quality 5.1% Share symptoms on social media to get followers opinions

11 The doctor will tweet you now Pioneering medical professionals are also seizing on the opportunities that technology brings. % of people using technology to engage with health professionals Share biometric data for my doctor to review remotely 6.3% Had a video consultation with a doctor 5.1% Had an conversation with a doctor 4.4% Had an online chat with a doctor 4.0%

12 An increasing sense of control and awareness The vast majority of us feel positively about this use of technology giving us an increased sense of awareness and control over our wellbeing. Only in a minority of cases is this increasing worries about health. 60% Positive Impact 70.9% Negative Impact 29.1% 50% 84.4% Q How does the increased availability of health advice and health monitoring tools make you feel? 40% 30% 22.5% 20% 16.3% 12.8% 10% 0% More in control of my wellbeing More aware of my wellbeing Too aware of my wellbeing More worried about my wellbeing

13 However, people are concerned about the volume of confusing and contradictory information to which technology has given us instant access. NO 31% NO 31% FAMILY AND FRIENDS 8% OTHER 5% FAMILY AND FRIENDS 8% OTHER 5% HEALTH ADVICE FROM PROFESSIONAL HEALTHCARE BODIES 17% NEWS AND MEDIA REPORTS HEALTH ADVICE 38% FROM PROFESSIONAL HEALTHCARE BODIES 17% NEWS AND MEDIA REPORTS 38% YES 69% YES 69% NEWS AND MEDIA REPORTS 38% NEWS AND MEDIA REPORTS 38% Do you think that there is too much noise (information, Q inaccurate information or conflicting information) online for people who are experiencing symptoms of, or being treated Q Please tell us where you think there is too much information? for, a health complaint or illness?

14 Q If you have Googled your medical symptoms in the past, why did you do this? Is technology also increasing our tendency to put off seeking professional medical advice? There is evidence to suggest that, for some, internet searches are being used to save the inconvenience of a trip to the GP. This, it seems, is not hard to do as we are often reluctant to put even fairly minor aspects of our daily lives on pause to get professional advice about our health concerns. 11% 10.9% 10.8% 11% 10.8% 10.7% I couldn t get a doctor s appointment I couldn t get a doctor s appointment quickly enought

15 Q If you were moderately concerned about some symptoms or health issues you were experiencing, what would you NOT cancel/re-arrange in order to attend a doctor s appointment the next day. 50.3% Gym Session 46.3% Lunch 47.4% A Lie In 38.8% Shopping Trip

16 Contact us Please get in touch for all questions regarding Push Doctor, our Digital Health Report 2015 or if you are looking for any of the following: Expert comment and information on healthcare, wellbeing and the future of the healthcare ecosystem Consultation trials and giveaways Product images and user statistics Abigail Outhwaite Christine Quansah

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