Factors Influencing the Use of Online Symptom Checkers in the United Kingdom: Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The National Health Service (NHS) faces increasing strain. Concurrently, demand for health information, consumer empowerment, and health awareness continues to grow. These trends, coupled with the ubiquity of smartphones and internet access, are positioning online symptom checkers (OSCs) as promising tools for preliminary diagnosis and triage. While there is increasing data on the demographics, motivations, and perspectives of current and potential users of OSCs globally, no study has yet quantified or ranked the various factors associated with the use of OSCs in the United Kingdom.

Objective

This study aimed to assess key trends and user perceptions on the usability and effectiveness of OSC in the United Kingdom. We also sought to identify concerns related to the

SUBMITTER: El-Osta A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12435756 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature