Demand and willingness to pay for online health care: a review

The development of internet technology has changed approaches for healthcare providing and improved the accessibility of health services. This study reviewed studies on the demand for eHealth and the willingness to pay for online health care for providing evidences for the development of eHealth. Online health information inquiry, communication with doctors, and diagnosis are among the most used online health care among the public and the utilization of the online health care is influenced by personal characteristics and health care demand. Most of the published studies on online health care were cross-sectional surveys; the studies on the willingness to pay for online health care were generally carried out in developed countries and regions and contingent valuation was a major method adopted in the studies. For the studies published, the sample size was generally small and there were imperfections in study design. More studies should be performed on measurement of willingness to pay for online health care and on research methodology.