The telephone directory publishes its first barometer to analyze Internet users’ requests. It reveals a growing interest in alternative medicine.
The Yellow Pages survey Internet users’ requests. The phone book just published its very first Barometer to learn more about the habits and customs of the many users of its website. For this inauguration, he looked closely at research related to health professionals.
Top 3: general practitioners, dentists, physiotherapists
In fact, in 2013, 16% of searches targeted practitioners – or 208 million queries. The Yellow Pages therefore still enjoy a certain reputation among those who want to find care near their home.
Among this research, the health professionals most in demand are, not surprisingly, general practitioners. They account for 13.4% of annual searches, with 27.8 million queries. They are followed by dentists (21 million requests), physiotherapists (12.1 million), ophthalmologists (11.9 million) and dermatologists (8.8 million).
Alternative medicines on the rise
Traditional caregivers are not the only ones to be sought, however. The survey indeed reveals a growing interest of the population for alternative medicines. Thus, requests concerning them have increased by 25% since 2011. Three departments are particularly fond of them: Vaucluse, Paris and Loire-Atlantique.
Among professionals in unconventional medicine, sophrologists, magnetizers and hypnotherapists are in particular demand. Requests concerning the latter have literally exploded since 2011 (+ 585%).
ENT in the 92, allergists in September
Each department has its preferred request. Thus, in Haute-Savoie, osteopaths are among the top research, while in the Hautes-Pyrénées, sexologists are required. Magnetizers are popular in Côtes d’Armor, while in Hauts-de-Seine, it is more ENT.
And each season its research. In January, medical requests largely concern general practitioners, gynecologists and dentists. In June, beach obliges, French Internet users rather call dieticians. With the return of pollen in September, they flock to the offices of allergists.
Stars and deserts
The results of the barometer also tell us that there are stars in the health sector. Thus, most searches are done by geographic proximity, but some directly target the practitioner’s name. This is the case for 56% of plastic surgeons and 53% of gerontologists.
However, many Internet users have to do with what they have. Pagesjaunes.fr notes imbalances between supply and demand, with areas where the number of general practitioners remains very low compared to the number of searches. This is the case of Hauts de Seine (1 practitioner for 691 requests), or even Loiret (1 practitioner for 453 searches).
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