title: Haematology patients and the Internet--the use of on-line health information and the impact on the patient-doctor relationship.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients access on-line health information (OHI) to better understand their health. We aimed to determine which demographic factors influence OHI use. We also explored how OHI is used and subsequent implications to the patient-doctor relationship.
  
  
  METHODS
  We distributed a self-administered questionnaire to 202 haematology out-patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  62.3% used the internet and 54.3% used OHI. Higher education, (P<0.001, OR 34.62, 95% CI 5.20-230.66) and household incomes of £15000-25000 (P=0.023 OR 4.8 95% CI 1.236-18.59) were positively associated with OHI use. Those reassured after reading OHI had improved trust in their specialist (P<0.001, OR 52.1, 95% CI 12.3-221.1), improved confidence during consultations, (P<0.001, OR 23.0, 95% CI 2.8-188.2) and were improved decisions makers (P=0.008, OR 13.6, 95% CI 4.1-45.7). Those with increased trust in their haematologist also had improved confidence (P<0.001, OR 6.2, 95% CI 2.2-17.3) and improved decision making ability (P<0.001, OR 13.6, 95% CI 4.7-39.4). 74.6% of patients did not share OHI with their haematologist.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two-thirds of participants were exposed directly or indirectly to OHI. OHI affects patients' view of their health and influences behaviour during consultations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Haematologists could facilitate patients using OHI by recommending high quality websites and act supportively when patients share OHI.
authors: Department of Hematology, Brighton and Sussex University Hospital Trust, Brighton, UK.
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Rider
authors: Institute of Postgraduate Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Mayfield House, University of Brighton, Falmer, UK.
authors: Muzaffar
authors: M
authors: Malik
authors: Research Department, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK. Electronic address: t.chevassut@bsms.ac.uk.
authors: Timothy
authors: T
authors: Chevassut
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006405:Hematology; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D057240:Patient Preference; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035502:Trust
keywords: Communication; Haematology; Health information; Internet; Patient education; Patient–doctor relationship