Patients’ perspective on the effect of internet-derived health information on the patient-physician relationship

Abstract

Background: The search for health information in the internet by patients is progressively increasing and more likely to be presented to the physician during consultation. Concerns have been expressed on how this may impact on the patient-physician relationship. The study assessed the use of internet for health information by patients and their perception of physicians’ response to sharing this information.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at the Family Medicine Clinic, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Nigeria among adults ≥18 years recruited using systematic random sampling method. Data was obtained using interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solution version 23. Statistical significance was evaluated at p<0.05.

Results: The study had 225 participants. Mean age was 43.42 ± 15.33 years, with more females 135 (60.0%). Those who used the internet to seek health information were 101(44.9%) and 91(90.1%) sought information to decide if they needed to see a doctor or not. Over half 62 (61.4%) discussed their search with a doctor. Very few felt the doctor was dissatisfied,13(12.9%) and that discourse led to harm of their relationship with the doctor, 5(4.9%). Age was significantly associated with participants’ perception of the effect of online health information on doctor-patient relationship (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Significant number of patients used the internet to seek health information and many discussed it with a doctor, who they perceived to have responded positively. Physicians should be open to discuss online health information with patients and to provide professional counsel as this will foster better patient-doctor relationship.