Provider-patient dialogue about Internet health information: an exploration of strategies to improve the provider-patient relationship.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined patients' experiences talking to their providers about internet health information.


METHODS
Participants (n=770) recruited from internet health message boards completed an online survey, including questions focusing on a recent interaction with a provider about internet health information.


RESULTS
Face-saving patient introduction strategies were associated with providers validating patients' efforts. Providers' validation of patients' efforts was associated with higher patient ratings of satisfaction, validation, and reduced concern, while providers' disagreement with the information was associated with lower ratings. The provider taking the information seriously was associated with higher patient satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
An understanding of the occurrence of provider-patient talk about internet health information and its relationship to patient satisfaction, validation, and reduced concern is important for providers and medical educators who seek to better understand, and thus improve, provider-patient communication.


CONCLUSIONS
Showing the patient that the information is being seriously considered and validating the patients' efforts in researching the information may ameliorate some of the negative effects of disagreement.
Bylund
Carma L
CL
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, NY, NY 10022, USA. bylundlc@mskcc.org
Gueguen
Jennifer A
JA
Sabee
Christina M
CM
Imes
Rebecca S
RS
Li
Yuelin
Y
Sanford
Amy Aldridge
AA
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001242:Assertiveness; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires