Why Patients Go Online
- 1 November 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in The Neurologist
- Vol. 14 (6), 374-381
- https://doi.org/10.1097/nrl.0b013e31817709bb
Abstract
Background: The online information seeking of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, their reasons for doing so, and its importance for physician-patient communication have not been described. Methods: Patients (n = 61) presenting for the first time at an MS clinic from December 2003 to July 2005 were interviewed pre- and postappointment and administered standard measures of pain and health quality of life. Consultations were audio recorded. Quantitative data were analyzed in light of qualitative data. Results: Eighty-two percent of patients reported gathering medical information online before their first appointment; 36% discussed this information with their physician. Qualitative reasons for Internet information seeking and for not communicating it show some signs of wariness of health care potentially leading to nonadherence. Conclusions: Most MS patients are informed by online information, but are unlikely to discuss that research with physicians for reasons that may have implications for patient adherence.Keywords
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