Physician-patient Interaction and the Internet: The Canadian Experience
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Abstract
Background: Doctors and patients are using the Internet with increasing frequency to find information on medical issues and, in many instances, to make decisions about medical care. However there is limited information available on how physicians are using the Internet to aid their interactions with patients.
Objective: To assess how Canadian physicians are using the Internet in the context of the physician-patient relationship.
Methods: Physicians registered for a volunteer Canadian Medical Association e-panel were surveyed online about their use of the Internet and their interactions with patients involving the Internet. Participants in the e-panel agree to receive 4-6 questionnaires annually and membership is demographically similar to that of the Canadian physician population as a whole.
Results: A total of 690 responses were received (26% response rate). A majority of physicians feel greater access to medical information on the Internet has improved the physician-patient interaction. A majority also say they provide recommendations to patients about specific disease or treatment websites for obtaining more medical information.
Conclusions: Use of the Internet by Canadian physicians is pervasive, as is use by their patients to obtain medical information to inform the patient visit to the physician. Anecdotal feedback from physicians polled show a growing understanding of the role of the Internet in informing and education patients about medical care and for the role of the Internet in improving patient self-management.
Objective: To assess how Canadian physicians are using the Internet in the context of the physician-patient relationship.
Methods: Physicians registered for a volunteer Canadian Medical Association e-panel were surveyed online about their use of the Internet and their interactions with patients involving the Internet. Participants in the e-panel agree to receive 4-6 questionnaires annually and membership is demographically similar to that of the Canadian physician population as a whole.
Results: A total of 690 responses were received (26% response rate). A majority of physicians feel greater access to medical information on the Internet has improved the physician-patient interaction. A majority also say they provide recommendations to patients about specific disease or treatment websites for obtaining more medical information.
Conclusions: Use of the Internet by Canadian physicians is pervasive, as is use by their patients to obtain medical information to inform the patient visit to the physician. Anecdotal feedback from physicians polled show a growing understanding of the role of the Internet in informing and education patients about medical care and for the role of the Internet in improving patient self-management.
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