Consumers in significant numbers are using the Internet to research doctor-patient issues, a survey said Thursday.

Sponsored by the Medical Broadcasting Company (MBC) and utilizing data from Nielsen//NetRatings, the survey across 20 popular health websites examined input from 991 respondents.

"We''ve had solid data regarding the overall usage of the Internet for healthcare information seeking for years," Jon Gibs, senior project manager at Nielsen//NetRatings said in a statement. "Now, based on this research, we have developed models that identify distinct segments of healthcare information seekers that can be efficiently targeted online."

Noting that the consumer attitudes gleaned from the study established that the Internet is the most trusted media source for consumers seeking information on healthcare issues, the survey revealed that 42 percent of respondents trusted information found on the Web versus just 16 percent for information from other media forms.

MBC, a healthcare marketing agency, also noted that 65 percent of respondents use the Internet to research health topics before a doctor''s visit. Also researched by consumers are pharmaceutical companies, but at a lower rate of just under 33 percent.