Health information seeking on the internet (Dr Google) and its effect on doctor-patient relationship: a cross-sectional study from Central Karnataka

Authors

  • Rachna Shekhar Department of Community Medicine, JJM Medical College, Davanagere, Karnataka, India
  • Sandhya Rani Javalkar Department of Community Medicine, JJM Medical College, Davanagere, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20204379

Keywords:

Doctor-patient relationship, Health information, Internet

Abstract

Background: The Internet has proven to be a powerful vehicle for the dissemination of information and the use of Internet by the patients as a source of information on health and disease is increasing rapidly. It has reformed the doctor-patient relationship by empowering patients with information. The objective was to study the trends of patient’s health information seeking behaviour on the internet and its effects on the doctor-patient relationship.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst the 73 doctors and 110 patients attending the tertiary health care centre, Davanagere. A pre-tested and pre-validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Percentages and Proportions were used to summarize the study variables.

Results: The most common search engine used was Google i.e. 92% and majority of them looked up symptoms/ disease condition 80%. 57% respondents verified doctor’s advice. 73% respondents stated that they used online health information for self-diagnosis but less than 10% of respondents took medications mentioned online. The doctors (60%) stated that the patient’s Internet use proves that the patient or his/her family are involved and take responsibility. However, 49.3% of doctors stated that they get uncomfortable when presented with online health information by the patients.

Conclusions: Doctors are starting to recognize the use of the internet by patients as a source of health information. Patients consider the internet as a supplementary resource for better understanding of symptoms and diagnosis. The need of the hour is better communication between doctor and patients; and availability of reliable web-based health resources to patients for better compliance.

Author Biographies

Rachna Shekhar, Department of Community Medicine, JJM Medical College, Davanagere, Karnataka, India

Medical Student

JJMMC 

Sandhya Rani Javalkar, Department of Community Medicine, JJM Medical College, Davanagere, Karnataka, India

Assistant Professor

Department of Community Medicine

 

References

Bernhardt J, Lariscy R, Parrott R, Silk K, Felter E. Perceived Barriers to Internet-Based Health Communication on Human Genetics. J Health Communication. 2002;7(4):325-40.

Van Riel N, Auwerx K, Debbaut P, Van Hees S, Schoenmakers B. The effect of Dr Google on doctor–patient encounters in primary care: a quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study. BJGP Open. 2017;1(2): BJGP-2017-0833.

Forkner-Dunn J. Internet-based Patient Self-care: The Next Generation of Health Care Delivery. J Medd Inter Re. 2003;5(2): e8.

Jacob J. Consumer access to health care information: its effect on the physician–patient relationship. Alaska Med. 2002;44:75–82.

Giveon S, Yaphe J, Hekselman I, Mahamid S, Hermoni D. The e-patient: a survey of Israeli primary care physicians’ responses to patients’ use of online information during the consultation. Isr Med Assoc J. 2009;11(9):537-41.

Kim J, Kim S. Physician’s perception of the effects of Internet health information on the doctor–patient relationship. Informatics Health Social Care. 2009;34(3):136–48.

Leiberich P, Nedoschill J, Nickel M, Loew T. Self-help and consultation via Internet. Self-responsible users redefine the physician-patient relationship. Med Klin (Munich). 2004;99(5): 263-8.

Ferguson T, Frydman G. The first generation of e-patients. BMJ. 2004;328(7449):1148–9.

Singh S, Banerjee A. Internet and doctor–patient relationship: Cross-sectional study of patients’ perceptions and practices. Indian J Public Health. 2019;63:215-9.

Oliveira JF. The effect of the Internet on the patient-doctor relationship in a hospital in the city of São Paulo. JISTEM. 2014;11(2):327-44.

Diaz JA, Griffith RA, Ng JJ, Reinert SE, Friedmann PD, Moulton AW. Patients' use of the Internet for medical information. J Gen Inter Med. 2002;17(3):180-5

Potts HW, Wyatt JC. Survey of doctors' experience of patients using the Internet. J Med Internet Res. 2002;4:5.

Eysenbach G, Kohler C. How do consumers search for and appraise health information on the World Wide Web? Qualitative study using focus groups, usability tests and in-depth interviews. BMJ. 2002;324:573-7.

McMullan M. Patients using the Internet to obtain health information: how this affects the patient–health professional relationship. Patient Edu Counsel. 2006;63(1-2):24-8.

Downloads

Published

2020-09-25

How to Cite

Shekhar, R., & Javalkar, S. R. (2020). Health information seeking on the internet (Dr Google) and its effect on doctor-patient relationship: a cross-sectional study from Central Karnataka. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 7(10), 4076–4080. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20204379

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles