The Tromsø Study: Lessons Learnt About Searching for Information About Health and Illness.

Introduction: Norway has a high use of e-health.

Methods: This paper summarizes and discusses the published data from the Tromsø 7 Study, conducted between 2015 and 2016, focusing on e-health utilization in the Norwegian population aged 40 and above.

Results: More than half of the participants reported using the Internet for health purposes. The main channels for obtaining information were search engines, apps, social media platforms, and online videos. The respondents frequently acted upon the information obtained online, and online health information influenced decisions regarding healthcare utilization and treatment management. Most respondents indicated a positive reaction to the information found online.

Conclusions: The Tromsø 7 Study highlights the widespread utilization of e-health in Norway. The study also emphasizes the significant impact of e-health on individuals' decision-making processes related to their health. The findings suggest that the use of e-health overall does not replace the use of traditional health services, but rather functions as a supplement. Most respondents report positive reactions to online health information, highlighting the importance and relevance of e-health in modern healthcare practices.