Vasile Liviu Drug1, Ioan Chirila2, Ahmed Albusoda3, Ion Bancila4, Sevastita Iordache5, Laurentiu Nedelcu6, Ciortescu Irina7, Oana Bogdana Barboi7, Diana Drug8, Dan L Dumitrascu9. 1. University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Gr. T. Popa", Iasi, Romania; Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iasi, Romania. 2. University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Gr. T. Popa", Iasi, Romania; Environmental Health Department, National Institute of Public Health - RcoPH, Iasi, Romania. 3. Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iasi, Romania; The Wingate Institute for Neurogastroenterology, Queen Mary University, United Kingdom. 4. Department of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", Bucharest, Romania. 5. Department of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova, Romania. 6. Department of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Transilvania", Brasov, Romania. 7. University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Gr. T. Popa", Iasi, Romania;Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iasi, Romania. 8. University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Gr. T. Popa", Iasi, Romania. 9. 2nd Department of Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Internet offers a lot of non-filtered medical information which may interfere with the patient-doctor relationship. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of the Internet on the classical doctor-patient relationship in gastroenterological outpatient settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter study was conducted, including a representative sample selected from five major regional medical centers throughout Romania. We designed a questionnaire which had two parts. One had to be filled out by adult patients on their first visit to a gastroenterology clinic and the other by physicians, stating the diagnosis and giving a doctor-patient collaboration score. RESULTS: From a total of 485 patients (49.9% females, mean age 50.42 years), 64.9% had Internet access, 75% out of whom searched for their symptoms online. University graduates searched for their symptoms online more often than secondary school graduates (80% vs. 31.1%, p<0.05). Most patients stated that they used the Internet to identify the most appropriate medical specialist for their condition. Internet users were less likely to visit a general practitioner (GP) before coming to a specialist (85.3% vs. 92.2%, odds ratio (OR) 0.491, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24-0.98, p<0.05). Patients who had searched for their symptoms online were less likely to follow the treatment prescribed by the GP (53.6% vs. 67.5%, p=0.004), but they received a better collaboration score (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.05-1.36, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The Internet exerts a positive influence on specialist doctor-patient relationship, but it might burden the health system with the incorrect tendency to replace the role of the GP.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Internet offers a lot of non-filtered medical information which may interfere with the patient-doctor relationship. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of the Internet on the classical doctor-patient relationship in gastroenterological outpatient settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter study was conducted, including a representative sample selected from five major regional medical centers throughout Romania. We designed a questionnaire which had two parts. One had to be filled out by adult patients on their first visit to a gastroenterology clinic and the other by physicians, stating the diagnosis and giving a doctor-patient collaboration score. RESULTS: From a total of 485 patients (49.9% females, mean age 50.42 years), 64.9% had Internet access, 75% out of whom searched for their symptoms online. University graduates searched for their symptoms online more often than secondary school graduates (80% vs. 31.1%, p<0.05). Most patients stated that they used the Internet to identify the most appropriate medical specialist for their condition. Internet users were less likely to visit a general practitioner (GP) before coming to a specialist (85.3% vs. 92.2%, odds ratio (OR) 0.491, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24-0.98, p<0.05). Patients who had searched for their symptoms online were less likely to follow the treatment prescribed by the GP (53.6% vs. 67.5%, p=0.004), but they received a better collaboration score (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.05-1.36, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The Internet exerts a positive influence on specialist doctor-patient relationship, but it might burden the health system with the incorrect tendency to replace the role of the GP.
Authors: Tom H Van De Belt; Arnolf F W Hendriks; Johanna W M Aarts; Jan A M Kremer; Marjan J Faber; Willanne L D M Nelen Journal: Hum Fertil (Camb) Date: 2014-05-28 Impact factor: 2.767
Authors: Theresa Sophie Busse; Julia Nitsche; Sven Kernebeck; Chantal Jux; Jürgen Weitz; Jan P Ehlers; Ulrich Bork Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-07-07 Impact factor: 4.614