Description

PCEMAILHPYR indicates whether sample adults used email (2009, 2011-2018) or the internet (starting in 2022) to communicate with a health care provider in the past 12 months. For 2009, this information is available for sample adults who had ever communicated with a health care provider by using e-mail (PCEMAILHPEV).

As part of the Health Information Technology (HIT) supplement, PCEMAILHPYR is one of many variables on the use of computers to access health information and services. As the 2009 Survey Description points out, the NHIS for that year was the first nationally representative household survey to collect data on the use of the Internet "for health information and medical communication."

For more information on the HIT supplement and a list of all questions, see PCLOOKHELEV.

Comparability

Starting in 2022, the question no longer included exclusive wording that indicates communication with a health care provider exclusively through email.

Major questionnaire changes introduced in 2019 may affect comparability with earlier years. The NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.

Universe

Availability

• 2009, 2011-2018, 2022-2023

Weights

• 2009, 2011-2018, 2022-2023 : SAMPWEIGHT