Using the internet privately for health purposes in the post-pandemic era: Frequency and associated factors. Findings based on a large sample of the German general adult population

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to describe and investigate the factors associated with private internet use for health purposes in the post-pandemic era. Methods: Data were taken from a quota-based online sample (n = 3270, German adult population aged 18 to 74 years; 47 years on average), with data collection took place at the beginning of 2025. Concerning the private use of the internet for health purposes, three areas were explored (presence and, if applicable, hours per week): researching health issues (e.g. treatments or medications), exchanging views or discussing health issues (e.g. in patient forums), and using telemedicine services (e.g. online consultations). Results: In total, 60.7% of the participants researched health issues, 20.7% of the participants exchanged views or discussed health issues, and 12.0% of the participants used telemedicine services (e.g. online consultations). Among such individuals privately using the internet for health purposes, the average hours per week for such activities were 1.4 h (SD: 2.0; health issues), 1.9 h (SD: 3.0; exchange views), and 1.8 h (SD: 2.7; telemedicine services). Regressions showed that higher odds of using the internet privately for all three health purposes were significantly associated with younger age, living together: married/partnership, a higher frequency of sports activity, a health-conscious diet, a higher number of chronic conditions, and higher loneliness levels. Some other independent variables such as gender or level of urbanization were partly associated with the outcomes. Conclusion: Our present study extends our current understanding of using the internet privately for health purposes in Germany. Future longitudinal and cross-country studies are recommended.