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

Rachna Shekhar; Sandhya Rani Javalkar

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20204379

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.

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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

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