Journal List > J Korean Soc Med Inform > v.14(4) > 1102906

Kim, Jeong, Piao, Park, Lee, Joo, and Kim: The Perception of the Patients on the Effects of Internet Health Information on the Doctor-Patient Relationship

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.

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