The report by the Future Foundation, a consumer and business trends think tank, predicts that the trend, will increase, with the number consulting the internet expected to reach a third within a decade.
As a result demand for online prescriptions could rise as a matter of convenience. A poll by the Future Foundation found almost half were interested in online diagnosis and more than half in online prescriptions.
While it may help reduce demand on hospitals and GPs, there are worries people could misdiagnose themselves, while they may also be unable to distinguish between professionals and amateurs.
Judith Kleine Holthause, the report's lead writer, said that the use of the internet and call centres during the swine flu pandemic proved that the system could work, although tighter regulation would be needed due to deaths where meningitis was diagnosed as swine flu.
"Despite its clinical shortcomings, the use of the internet and call centres for diagnosing swine flu and distributing medication demonstrates that remote diagnosis can be an efficient way of dealing with certain conditions," he said.
"If regulated and monitored appropriately, remote diagnoses and prescriptions could benefit the healthcare system in similar ways as remote services have helped the banking system."
Andy Murdock, a director from Lloydspharmacy, who have launched a "virtual" GP system, said: "The face-to-face consultation will remain at the heart of primary care. But for an increasing array of conditions, remote services provide a viable alternative.
"Right now these include lifestyle conditions such as impotence and hair loss, and embarrassing subjects such as STIs and contraception. The list could expand considerably in the future."
