Patient–Provider Discussion of Online Health Information: Results From the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS)

Abstract

Increasing numbers of people have turned to the Internet for health information. Little has been done beyond speculation to empirically investigate patients' discussion of online health information with health care professionals (HCPs) and patients' perception of HCPs' reactions to such discussion. The author analyzed data from the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) to identify the characteristics of patients (a) who search for health information on the Internet, (b) who discuss the information found on the Internet with HCPs, and (c) who positively assess HCPs' reaction to the online information. Findings show that men were more likely than were women to have a conversation on online information with HCPs. It is unfortunate that patients who had trouble understanding or trusting online health information were no more likely to ask questions to or seek guidance from HCPs. Reactions of HCPs to online information were perceived as particularly negative by certain groups of patients, such as those who experienced poor health and those who had more concerns about the quality of their searched information. Results are discussed for their implications for patient empowerment and patient–HCP relationships.

Notes

Note. Respondents were Internet users. Frequency of seeing HCPs was measured on a 7-point scale ranging from 1 (none) to 7 (ten times and more in the past 12 months). HCP = health care professional.

Note. Percentages are based on weighted data; p values are based on Wald chi-square tests. HCP = health care professional.

Note. Results are based on weighted data. HCP = health care professional.

+p < .10; *p < .05; **p < .01; ***p < .001.

Note. Results are based on weighted data. HCP = health care professional.

+p < .10; *p < .05; **p < .01; ***p < .001.

Note. Results are based on weighted data. HCP = health care professional.

^a Because of a small size of respondents belonging to the “less than high school” category (n = 12), two of the education categories, “less than high school” and “high school graduates,” were combined.

+p < .10; *p < .05; **p < .01; ***p < .001.