Survey of Spanish docs online

A third of Spanish doctors say that patient’s looking up details of their condition online can complicate their relationship with patients and even undermine their credibility.

The results come in a study that examines how health information on the Internet is changing the relationship between doctors and patients.

"Although the e-patient is a new phenomenon that is growing exponentially, very few studies analyse it from a doctor’s point of view," said José Joaquín Mira, the main author of the working paper published recently in the journal ‘Atención Primaria’ (primary health care).

The researchers analysed the opinions of 660 doctors who all work for the Spanish National Health System – 330 in primary health care and 330 in hospitals – in the provinces of Alicante, Madrid, Zaragoza and Huesca.

Results show that 96% of the doctors surveyed have been questioned by their patients about information they have read on the Internet. In addition, almost three out of every 10 professionals recommend websites to their patients.

The doctors who work in hospitals devote more time to the Internet, take more advantage of resident training resources and cooperate more with specific websites than their primary health care counterparts.

But opinions divided on the influence of the Internet on their relationship with patients is analysed. Some 31% of doctors, said the Internet complicates their relationship with patients and undermines their credibility.

Some 42% of the doctors surveyed said the Internet helped patients to learn about their illness. However, only 20% of the doctors surveyed said that the Internet increased patient independence. "All the specialists agree that they do not believe the Internet favours patient independence".

“Moreover, many believe it can undermine the credibility of doctors. As a result, doctors do not normally suggest websites to their patients for complementary information,” said Mira.