In 2008, 36% of U.S. physicians reported communicating with patients online, up from 31% in 2007, according to a survey by Manhattan Research.
Twenty-five percent of physicians reported communicating with patients via the Internet in 2006, compared with 24% of doctors in 2005.
The survey found that physicians are more active when it comes to new media than the average consumer. For example, 83% of doctors watch video clips online, compared with 34% of all U.S. adults.
The survey also found that physicians who use online communities such as Sermo and Medscape Connect are more likely to be primary care physicians, female and slightly younger than the average physician. In addition, they are more likely to own a PDA or smart phone and go online during or between patient visits.
Results are based on a Q1 2008 nationally representative survey of 1,832 practicing U.S. physicians.
Source: Manhattan Research