Private-sector health information websites scored a 79 on a 100-point customer satisfaction scale, while health insurance websites scored a 51, according to a study by ForeSee, a customer experience analytics firm.
Public-sector health information websites scored a 78 on the scale, according to the study. The study defined public-sector health information websites as those maintained by the federal government and not-for-profit organizations.
Meanwhile, hospital and health system websites scored a 78.
Two sub-categories of private-sector health information websites -- sites that included information about pharmaceuticals and health products -- both scored a 76.
The study also found that health information website visitors who give a satisfaction rating of 80 or higher say they are 127% more likely to use the site as their main resource for interacting with a health care organization.
Results are based on an analysis of 100,000 surveys conducted from August to September 2011.
Source: ForeSee, "The 2011 ForeSee Healthcare Benchmark"