Breaking News: A recent analysis of healthcare professional self-identification data reveals a important proportion of individuals accessing medical information online do not identify as medical professionals, highlighting a growing need for accessible and clearly labeled health content.
A survey of users accessing online medical resources, based on a dropdown menu of professional affiliations, indicates a considerable number – currently represented by the selected option “I’m not a medical professional” – are seeking health information without a medical background. This data, collected from a standard self-identification form, provides insight into the audience consuming medical content online.
The available options for professional identification include a wide range of medical specialties, encompassing both surgical and non-surgical fields. these include:
- Surgical specialties: General Surgery (225), Neurological Surgery (59), Orthopaedics (70), Otolaryngology (73), Plastic Surgery (143), Pediatric Surgery (291), Urolog (239)
- Medical specialties: Internal Medicine (27), Cardiology (360), Dermatology (357), Emergency Medicine (363), Endocrinology (349), Gastroenterology (374), Genetics (47), Hematology (369), Infectious Disease (286), Nephrology (287), Neurology (177), Oncology (267), Pulmonology (288), Rheumatology (289), HIV/AIDS (281), hospital-based Medicine (282)
- Preventive & General Care: General Practice (371), Preventive Medicine (146), Occupational Health (367)
- Pediatric Care: Pediatrics (114)
- Diagnostic & Therapeutic: Radiology (207), Radiation Oncology (213), pathology (78), Medical Physics (219), Pain Management (354), Palliative Care (355)
- Other Medical Fields: Obstetrics and Gynecology (61), Ophthalmology (69), Psychiatry (162), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (135), Nuclear Medicine (60), geriatrics (352), Integrative/Complementary Medicine (353), Trauma (356), Nutrition (364), Substance Use and Addiction (366), Therapeutics (365)
- Related Healthcare Professions: Psychology (244), Optometry (372), Podiatry (351), Pharmacology (373)
- Academic & Policy: Medical education and Simulation (314), Health Policy (368), Medical Student (370)
- Other/Unspecified: Osteopathic Medicine (358), Oral Medicine (359), Miscellaneous (150)
The prominence of the “I’m not a medical professional” option (value: 361) underscores the importance of creating health information that is easily understandable and tailored to a lay audience. This includes avoiding medical jargon, providing clear explanations of complex conditions, and emphasizing the need to consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. The data suggests a significant prospect to improve health literacy and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health, while also recognizing the limitations of self-diagnosis and treatment.
Further analysis of user demographics and content consumption patterns could reveal valuable insights into the specific information needs of non-medical professionals and inform the progress of more effective health communication strategies. The increasing reliance on online resources for health information necessitates a focus on accuracy, accessibility, and responsible content creation.
