The Attitudes of Egyptian Web-Based Health Information Seekers Toward Health Information Provided Through the Internet: Qualitative Study (original) (raw)
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The Impact of Health Information on the Internet on the Physician-Patient Relationship
Archives of Internal Medicine, 2003
Background Use of the Internet for health information continues to grow rapidly, but its impact on health care is unclear. Concerns include whether patients' access to large volumes of information will improve their health; whether the variable quality of the information will have a deleterious effect; the effect on health disparities; and whether the physician-patient relationship will be improved as patients become more equal partners, or be damaged if physicians have difficulty adjusting to a new role.
Patients’ use of health-related information from the Internet is increasing at an exponential rate. Although we have some information about how health professionals use the Internet (Roscoe, 1998; Wilson, 1999) we know little about how patients utilise this information. Some patients may actively seek information to assume more responsibility for their health. However, others may feel forced into doing so because of failing confidence in health care provision. Health professionals have the potential to assist patients to make sense of health information from the Internet; however, they may not necessarily welcome this role (Wilson, 1999; Eberhart-Phillips et al., 2000). This study aims to evaluate patient use of such information in primary care and to establish how this can be directed in the future. 851 adult patients from general practice were surveyed about the health information they use, including the Internet. 50 patients from the survey were then randomly selected for interview. Abstracts 242 International Journal of Consumer Studies, 27, 3, June 2003, pp218–251 © 2003 Blackwell Publishing Ltd 12 health care professionals were also interviewed about how patients use the Internet and the impact this has on consultations. The majority of patients (80%) prefer to use their GP as a source of health information. The remaining sources of information received significantly lower ratings. However, the Internet was the second most preferred source of information (7%). Of those using the Internet about two thirds felt more prepared and able to participate in decision-making about treatments. The majority of patients rely on their doctor for health information. However, many patients actively use the Internet as an information source. The use of Internet information during consultations is on the increase, and although patients are positive about such use, doctors do not necessarily welcome Internet informed patients. It is now necessary to identify the training needs of health care professionals for dealing appropriately with Internet informed patients.
Consumer use of the internet for health information:
An increasing number of patients use the internet to obtain information about health. Although some information is available about how health professionals use the internet, little is known about how patients utilize this information. Some patients may actively seek information to assume more responsibility for their health. However, others may feel obliged to do so because of failing confidence in health care provision. Health professionals have the potential to assist patients to make sense of health information from the internet; however, they may not necessarily welcome this role. This study aims to evaluate patients’ use of such information in a primary care setting. The sample consisted of adult patients ( n = 851) from two general practice populations at different levels of the socio-economic spectrum in South Wales (UK). Patients were surveyed by questionnaire about the health information they use, including the internet. The majority of patients preferred to use their general practitioner as the main source of health information. The internet was jointly the second preferred source for information about an illness (6%). Just over half (51%) of patients in this study had access to the internet, of which about half use it to access health information. Just under a quarter (24%, n = 55) of health internet users had discussed information accessed from the internet during a subsequent consultation with a health professional. Of these, three-quarters felt more prepared and able to participate in decision-making about treatments. This study provides a greater understanding of how patients are making use of health-related information from the internet. These findings can be used to help prepare health care professionals for dealing appropriately with internet-informed patients.
Patient education and …, 2009
Objective: Many patients use the Internet to obtain health-related information. It is assumed that healthrelated Internet information (HRII) will change the consultation practice of physicians. This article explores the strategies, benefits and difficulties from the patients' and physicians' perspective. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted independently with 32 patients and 20 physicians. Data collection, processing and analysis followed the core principles of Grounded Theory. Results: Patients experienced difficulties in the interpretation of the personal relevance and the meaning of HRII. Therefore they relied on their physicians' interpretation and contextualisation of this information. Discussing patients' concerns and answering patients' questions were important elements of successful consultations with Internet-informed patients to achieve clarity, orientation and certainty. Discussing HRII with patients was appreciated by most of the physicians but misleading interpretations by patients and contrary views compared to physicians caused conflicts during consultations. Conclusion: HRII is a valuable source of knowledge for an increasing number of patients. Patients use the consultation to increase their understanding of health and illness. Determinants such as a patientcentred consultation and timely resources are decisive for a successful, empowering consultation with Internet-informed patients. Practical implications: If HRII is routinely integrated in the anamnestic interview as a new source of knowledge, the Internet can be used as a link between physicians' expertise and patient knowledge. The critical appraisal of HRII during the consultation is becoming a new field of work for physicians. ß
This article presents some preliminary findings concerning patient's use of the Internet for medical information. The aim is to increase our understanding of patient's on-line activities using the perspective of Virtual Communities. The study reported takes the point of departure in Internet use by patient associations and their contact with patients. This approach provides an opportunity to analyse a larger and more varying group of patients and their use of the Internet for medical information. The results of the study points at a number of opportunities and challenges both for patients as individuals but also for health care providers and society in a larger perspective.
BMC Family Practice, 2007
Background: Both doctors and patients may perceive the Internet as a potential challenge to existing therapeutic relationships. Here we examine patients' views of the effect of the Internet on their relationship with doctors. Methods: We ran 8 disease specific focus groups of between 2 and 8 respondents comprising adult patients with diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease or hepatitis C. Results: Data are presented on (i) the perceived benefits and (ii) limitations of the Internet in the context of the doctor-patient relationship, (iii) views on sharing information with doctors, and (iv) the potential of the Internet for the future. Information from the Internet was particularly valued in relation to experiential knowledge. Conclusion: Despite evidence of increasing patient activism in seeking information and the potential to challenge the position of the doctor, the accounts here do not in any way suggest a desire to disrupt the existing balance of power, or roles, in the consultation. Patients appear to see the Internet as an additional resource to support existing and valued relationships with their doctors. Doctors therefore need not feel challenged or threatened when patients bring health information from the Internet to a consultation, rather they should see it as an attempt on the part of the patient to work with the doctor and respond positively.
HEALTH INFORMATION SEEKING ON THE INTERNET: IMPLICATIONS FOR USERS
Development and Policy Issues in Nigeria 5 (1) 32-39., 2012
Virtually every aspect of human endeavor has been transformed by the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The internet is one ICT that has impacted greatly on health-care delivery. Apart from providing a platform for health service providers to research and collaborate towards improved health-care delivery, the internet also connects health service consumers to the gamut of health related information which the y can use to take informed decisions about their health. Access to online information is a way of empowering people and enhancing their ability to manage their health. However, seeking health information on the internet has medical, legal and ethical implications on the health information seeker. This paper discusses the pros and cons of seeking health information on the internet and adv ances some recommendations for users.