Utilization of Internet and Social Media by Outpatient Dermatology Patients: A Prospective, Cross-sectional Study

Background: Online health-related information (HRI) has expanded access to medical knowledge. While there are benefits to the increasing availability of online HRI, there may be limitations to the accuracy, quality of information, and utilization across patient demographics.

Methods: A survey was administered to dermatology outpatients at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California to examine the utilization of internet and social media for acquiring dermatology-related information (DRI).

Results: A total of 200 patients completed the survey. A majority (90%) indicated utilizing the internet to research information about their dermatological condition. Approximately 74 percent researched their dermatological condition before visiting the dermatologist, and 80 percent researched their condition after seeing a dermatologist. Younger patients (ages 18-25) were more likely to utilize online HRI before and after their visit. When stratified by income level, those with an income of less than $20,000 a year were more likely to search online for symptom management. Overwhelmingly, patients (99%) preferred to receive DRI from a dermatologist over internet or social media.

Limitations: A limitation of our study is the exclusion of individuals with dermatologic issues who do not seek in-person dermatologic care, which may contribute to selection bias.

Conclusion: There are differences across demographics in the utilization of the internet and social media for obtaining DRI. Understanding patients' interactions with online HRI may allow providers and patients to work synergistically, leveraging online resources to support the dissemination of credible information and optimize patient outcomes.