Knowledge Empowers – The impact of credible health information

Only 1 in 10 people with long term conditions are signposted to health information from NHS services. Those with access to information from trusted sources report feeling empowered and less alone.

In 2024, Asthma and Lung UK, Anthony Nolan, Cognitant Group, CoppaFeel, Macmillan Cancer Support, National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, Royal College of Anaesthetists, Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK, and Tommy’s shared a survey on the impact of health information with their users. The survey was designed to be a qualitative companion to PIF's earlier research with Ipsos. Results were analysed by PIF and the University of Nottingham. Key findings include:

• 8 in 10 agreed information provided by the organisation helped them manage their health.
• 9 in 10 seek health information before making a GP appointment or hospital appointment.
• 8 in 10 feel confident in their knowledge to discuss their treatment with their care team.
• 9 in 10 go to appointments with questions prepared. 
• 6 in 10 say their views are taken seriously by health professionals.

"The detailed information has given me a broader insight into my condition and enabled me to ask more pertinent questions at my hospital appointments."

People actively seek health information

One in 2 people had searched for health information in the last week. 1 in 3 in the last month. People want to be signposted to trusted sources of information from the NHS and by health professionals. Preferred sources are:

• Credible health websites.
• NHS App.
• Text or email from doctor.
• Leaflet from doctor.

"I tend to use trusted websites or apps to look something up. What is really useful however, is information from the GP following an appointment. It makes the patient feel that they are being listened to and their issues being considered even after leaving the consultation."

Health charities make people feel less alone

Reduced isolation was a theme in 12,000 words of free text comments. The comments were analysed by Dr Emma McClaughlin from the University of Nottingham using corpus linguistics. Comments included:

• "Realising lots of people suffer with my condition, I don’t feel so alone with this."
• "I don’t feel so isolated and I know I can contact them if I need to."
• "I don’t feel alone and the effect on my life is recognised."

Download a summary of the survey findings below. 

Watch a webinar discussing the findings in more detail here.

Read our recommendations to empower everyone with credible health information here.