Work

eHealth as a challenge to ‘expert’ power: a focus group study of internet use for health information and management

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate current use of the internet and eHealth amongst adults. DESIGN: Focus groups were conducted to explore participants' attitudes to and reasons for health internet use. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The focus group data were analysed and interpreted using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three superordinate themes exploring eHealth behaviours were identified: decline in expert authority, pervasiveness of health information on the internet and empowerment. Results showed participants enjoyed the immediate benefits of eHealth information and felt empowered by increased knowledge, but they would be reluctant to lose face-to-face consultations with their GP. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings illustrate changes in patient identity and a decline in expert authority with ramifications for the practitioner-patient relationship and subsequent implications for health management more generally.

Source: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine

DOI: 10.1258/jrsm.2008.080156

Authors: Louise S Donnelly, Rachel L Shaw, Olga BA van den Akker

Institutions: Aston University, Middlesex University London

Language: English

Topic: Health Literacy and Information Accessibility

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Royal Society, Aston University