---
title: "The Online Medic"
description: "That's the percentage of e-caregivers -- those using the internet to search for health information during a loved one's illness -- who report that the internet helped them find advice or support from other people. "
date: "2006-12-20"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2006/12/20/the-online-medic/"
---

# The Online Medic

Among those who searched for health information online during the illness of a loved one (“e-caregivers”), a Pew Internet & American Life Project survey found that 36% said the internet helped them find advice or support from other people; 34% said it helped them find professional or expert services; and 26% said it helped them find information or compare options. According to the survey, one-in-five online Americans (20%) said the internet has greatly improved the way they get information about health care. Moreover, the internet often played a major role for e-caregivers. When asked about all the different sources of information they consulted, 58% said the most important was something they found on the internet. This compares with 38% who said their most important source was found offline.[Read More](http://www.www.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/internet/PPF/c/1/topics.asp)