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Table 5 Action taken by search time, value and usefulness

From: Consumer access to health information on the internet: health policy implications

Action

Number taking action

Search time

Value

Usefulness

 

N

%

Hours

$

Score

(a)

Talked to family member, friend, neighbour, or workmate

73

57.9%

0.47

70

3.36

 

Contacted general medical practitioner

45

35.7%

0.56

64

3.23

 

Changed eating and/or drinking habits

42

33.3%

0.49

67

3.52

 

Bookmarked the website for future reference

28

22.2%

0.44

74

3.71

(b)

Bought a health product from a health store

25

19.8%

0.36

63

3.32

 

Exercised more

17

13.5%

0.43

75

3.18

 

Bought a medicine or medical product from a pharmacist

17

13.5%

0.48

70

3.50

 

Did nothing

16

12.7%

0.43

42

2.59

(b)

Contacted medical specialist

15

11.9%

0.53

71

3.13

 

Gave up smoking

12

9.5%

0.46

65

3.50

 

Contacted alternative health practitioner

7

5.6%

0.39

59

3.86

 

Relaxed more

6

4.8%

0.54

71

2.83

 

Contacted osteopath or chiropractor

5

4.0%

0.45

37

3.60

 

Advice of health professional more likely to be followed

4

3.2%

0.69

91

3.50

 

Contacted pharmacist

4

3.2%

0.44

55

3.63

 

Contacted physiotherapist

4

3.2%

0.38

85

3.00

 

Contacted support group

3

2.4%

0.50

82

3.83

 

Bought a medicine or medical product over the internet

2

1.6%

0.48

115

4.00

 

Contacted nurse/ midwife

2

1.6%

0.50

75

4.00

 

Other

5

4.0%

    

Total

126

263.5%

0.46

61

3.19

 
  1. (a) Usefulness (mean score) Five point scale where; 1 = no use at all, 2 = somewhat useful, 3 = useful, 4 = very useful, 5 = extremely useful. Respondents were not restricted to whole numbers.
  2. (b) Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) based on non-overlap of the 95% confidence intervals calculated using t values and standard errors.
  3. Responses add to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer.