J Korean Soc Med Inform.  2008 Dec;14(4):345-354.

The Perception of the Patients on the Effects of Internet Health Information on the Doctor-Patient Relationship

• Kim J
• Jeong S
• Piao M
• Park S
• Lee S
• Joo J
• Kim S

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The objective of the study was to determine patient's views of the effects of internet health information on the doctor-patient relationship. METHODS: Online survey with 26 items was conducted which was developed by revising the questionnaire of Direct-to-Consumer Advertising to accommodate to the internet health information. Members of the active online patients communities were solicited by e-mail.
RESULTS
Most of them gave an affirmative answer on Internet Health Information saying that it makes them get advice from doctor with self-confidence, follow their doctor's direction well, get more medical treatment after retrieving the information and so on. By contrast, physicians perceived that internet health information may have variety of negative effects according to the preceding research.
CONCLUSIONS
There are the differences of perspectives between physicians and patients. Therefore it will be necessary to make the experts' intervention in the provision of internet health information, which will have good effects on quality of care, doctor-patient relationship, and health service utilization.

Keyword

Internet Health Information; Doctor-Patient Relationship; Patients Perception

MeSH Terms

Electronic Mail
Health Services
Humans
Internet
Surveys and Questionnaires