Open AccessBRIEF REPORT: What Types of Internet Guidance Do Patients Want from Their Physicians?
Author(s) -
Diaz Joseph A.,
Sciamanna Christopher N.,
Evangelou Evangelos,
Stamp Michael J.,
Ferguson Tom
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of general internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.746
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 1525-1497
pISSN - 0884-8734
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0115.x
Subject(s) - medicine , the internet , medline , family medicine , internet privacy , world wide web , computer science , political science , law
Objectives: To understand what patients expect from physicians regarding information seeking on the Internet. Design: Self‐administered survey. Setting/Participants: Waiting rooms of 4 community‐based primary care offices. Measurements/Main Results: Of 494 patients invited to participate, 330 completed the survey for a response rate of 67%. Of 177 respondents who used the Internet for health information, only 15% agreed that physicians should ask them about their Internet searches. Most (62%) agreed that physicians should recommend specific web sites where patients can learn more about their health care. Conclusions: Primary care physicians should recognize that many patients would like guidance as they turn to the Internet for medical information. Physicians can utilize quality assessment tools and existing resources that facilitate referring patients to authoritative, commercial‐free, patient‐oriented medical information on the Internet.