---
"title": "Dr. Mom Goes Online"
"description": "Many parents go online to get information about their kids' upcoming surgical procedures."
"date": "2005-08-22"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Susannah Fox"
    "job_title": "Former Researcher"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/susannah-fox/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/internet/2005/08/22/dr-mom-goes-online/"
"categories":
  - "Health Policy"
  - "Medicine & Health"
  - "Online Search"
---

# Dr. Mom Goes Online

The *Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery* had an [article](http://archotol.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/131/8/719) last week about internet use among parents whose children are facing an outpatient procedure, such as a tonsillectomy or the insertion of ear tubes. The study found that 83% of parents had internet access and that 48% of parents had searched online for information related to their child’s diagnosis and surgical procedure. Fully 93% of these parents said they found good information online, 84% said that the information influenced the medical decision they faced, and 43% said they discussed what they found online with their child’s surgeon.

The findings correlate with our national samples. For example, our “[Teens and Technology](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/internet/Reports/2005/Teens-and-Technology.aspx)” study found that 80% of parents with teens living at home have internet access and our “[Health Information Online](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/internet/Reports/2005/Health-Information-Online.aspx)” report found that 51% of internet users have looked up a certain medical treatment or procedure. Online parents are no more likely than non-parents to have researched treatment options, but they are significantly more likely than non-parents to look for information about health insurance (38% vs. 26%) and immunizations (22% vs. 12%).