Impact of Internet Guided Self Diagnosis on Doctor Patient Relationship- a Qualitative Study
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: INTRODUCTION The patient-physician relationship has been noted to be second only to family relationships in terms of importance. This relationship is based on trust of the patient on his physician. The growth of the Internet has enabled the public to more readily access information about health and disease. Patients use of the Internet in searching for and gathering health information is growing and has now become somewhat commonplace. Apart from many other issues created the central issue is the issue of trust on the doctor. An earlier study done on the patient compliance related to internet guided self-diagnosis revealed online self-diagnosis has significant effects on patient compliance. So through this qualitative study we hope to explore all aspects of the internet related self-diagnosis in medical practice OBJECTIVES The OBJECTIVE OF THE RESEARCH IS TO STUDY THE IMPACT OF INTERNET GUIDED SELF DIAGNOSIS ON DOCTOR PATIENT RELATIONSHIP.THE OBJECTIVES ARE STUDIED UNDER THE HEADINGS OF- DIAGNOSISREACTIONPROBLEMS IN FURTHER MANAGEMENTCOMPLIANCE TO PRESCRIPTIONPERCEPTIONS/ FEELINGSANY RECOMMENDATIONS MATERIALS AND METHODS The sampling frame consisted of 20 participating Doctors. The study participants were asked to fill a structured survey form, which consisted of ideal, interpretative and leading questions focussed on recording experience, opinions and perceptions. The recurrent views were identified and these similar views were used to answer the research questions. OBSERVATION AND RESULTS From this study it was found that all the study participants have encountered such a patient who came with an internet guided self-diagnosis. About three fourth of these doctors said that the self-diagnosis was incorrect. Further, according to the physicians majority of them said this lead to problems in further management. But surprisingly most of the physicians said the patients were compliant to their doctor’s prescription even after doing the self-diagnosis. Our qualitative study also reviled a vast array of perceptions about the topic of study, these included absurdness, frustration, feeling irritated and many others. CONCLUSION Thus, from our study it can be said in conclusion that the internet guided self-diagnosis does not help the patient in any way instead in addition to causing problems in management also causes the straining of the doctor patient relationship. But still upon being counselled patient being compliant to the doctor reveals that the patients still trust the doctor more than the internet which is accordance with an earlier quantitative research which we studied in our study of literature. Thus, from our study it can be said in conclusion that the internet guided self-diagnosis does not help the patient in any way instead in addition to causing problems in management also causes the straining of the doctor patient relationship. But still upon being counselled patient being compliant to the doctor reveals that the patients still trust the doctor more than the internet which is accordance with an earlier quantitative research which we studied in our study of literature.
Authors: Nitish Sharma, Rajakshi Khanna
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3112584346