Boots say that when it comes to healthcare Brits want to keep
private
Released
on: April 8, 2008, 7:19 am
Press
Release Author: Carrie Eames
Industry:
Healthcare
Press
Release Summary: Boots research shows British people are turning
to the internet more and more for healthcare
Press
Release Body: According to boots.com there has been a surge in
Brits turning to 'private' health care, with people going online
to check out embarrassing conditions. According to new research*
by the Boots’ health information website
‘AskBoots’, the top five most researched
conditions are:
-
The menopause
- Thrush
- Cystitis
- Chlamydia
- Haemorrhoids
AskBoots
found that three-quarters of respondents (76 per cent) have used
the internet for a digital diagnosis, or ‘diginosis’
in the past six months. The ‘Silver Surfer’ generation
are the biggest ‘cyberchondriacs’, with 32 per cent
of over 55s regularly investigating their symptoms online.
Brits
are so keen to keep it private that 48 per cent prefer to search
in the privacy of their own homes. The survey also showed that
almost half (40 per cent) of people say that they spend a significant
amount of time looking for health
information and news, close behind booking tickets online
(44 per cent) and social networking (53 per cent).
Only
five per cent of people looking for health information on the
net go back to the same trusted site each time, whereas 55 per
cent will read whatever sites are thrown up, regardless of whether
the content is medically sound or not.
Angela
Chalmers, Boots pharmacist commented: “Make
sure you look for health information only on a trusted site such
as www.boots.com/askboots
or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk,
as there are lots of sites that aren’t medically sound.
But don’t forget that in-store you can always ask to speak
to a pharmacist in a private consultation area if you feel like
everyone is listening.”
AskBoots.com
is a new health website
launched by Boots in partnership with
The BMJ Group in response to demand from customers for
health information from a trusted source. It offers free access
to over 180 different everyday conditions – credible, clinical
evidence-based medical advice on subjects ranging from children’s
sleep problems to coronary bypass operations, provided exclusively
online by BMJ Group. The information is segmented
into categories so that information relevant to age and lifestyle
can be found easily.
*2295
respondents were polled as part of research carried out with OnePoll
October 2007
About
Boots
Boots is a UK retailer of health
products, also providing health information on a wide variety
of topics.
Boots
Pharmacy Superintendent is responsible for healthcare
advice provided in relation to Pharmacy medicines and other healthcare
advice located within the Boots Pharmacy pages
of Boots.com. Boots.com is the
trading name of Boots.com Direct Limited (VAT
No. 116 3001 29), an Alliance Boots company.
All other information and advice on Boots.com
is the responsibility of Boots.com Direct Limited.
Web
Site: http://www.askbootshealth.com/
Contact
Details: Boots PR contact:
Carrie Eames
PR Manager
Boots
D90W WG14
Thane Road
Nottingham
NG90 1BS
0115 959 5995