With the media hoopla surrounding social networking, social media, Facebook, LinkedIn, and all of the related online “meeting places,” a recent Capstrat-Public Policy Polling survey surprisingly shows that most Americans do not embrace social media as a way to communicate with their health care providers. However, they are fine about using the Internet for billing, accessing their records, and setting appointments.

Most interesting among the survey results: only 21% of the most actively online age group of 18- to 29-years-olds say they would take advantage of an online forum if offered. The poll also shows that a nurse help line was the preferred form of communication across all demographic and age groups. Millennials Do Not Favor Social Media For Personal Healthcare Communication:

Seventy-two percent of respondents said they would take advantage of a nurse help line if it was offered by their doctor. Fifty-five percent said they would be interested in online advice from nurses.

“It appears consumers are willing to move administrative experiences such as bill payment and records access online, but when it comes to conferring with their healthcare providers, people still prefer more traditional communications,” says Capstrat President Karen Albritton. “The implications include a way for doctors to free up more time for their patients by moving the right interactions online, and an opportunity to forge stronger connections through personal interaction.”

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