The popularization and widespread use of the Internet has transformed the original binary relationship between doctors and patients into a ternary relationship of “patient-Internet-doctor”, and the communication between doctors and patients has gradually shown the joint participation of the three parties The interaction state of patients’ online health information has also become an important factor in medical services that cannot be ignored. Doctors have the responsibility to guide patients to obtain online health information that they can understand and whose quality is guaranteed. Although patients have obtained a lot of medical expertise through Internet searches, the mixed information obtained by patients has also brought many difficulties to the work of doctors and the relationship between doctors and patients. This has become an inevitable problem in current doctor-patient communication, and may challenge the professionalism of medical and health services and the authority of doctors.
Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Luo Xiaolan et al. Doctor-patient communication is a process of two-way information exchange between doctors and patients in the process of medical services. Good doctor-patient communication focuses on the doctor’s ability to communicate, respect and respond to the needs of the patient, and ensure that the patient accepts the doctor’s advice and medical decisions. Nowadays, it is very common for patients to search for online health information before and after seeing a doctor, and online health information communication has become an important aspect of doctor-patient communication, which is undoubtedly an important factor affecting the doctor-patient relationship. Existing studies have shown that online health information can help promote medical fairness and health information dissemination, and improve patients’ health literacy, but it may also affect patients’ trust in doctors, compliance with diagnosis and treatment plans, and patients’ willingness to screen diseases. , which will not only affect the doctor-patient relationship, but may also have a certain negative impact on the patient’s medical outcomes and health status. Foreign studies have found that health information obtained on the Internet leads to 45% of patients making an appointment to see a doctor, and 40% of patients have doubts about the doctor’s diagnosis and treatment.
Although online health information has become the most commonly used information source for some patients, the mass media and medical staff are the most desired sources of information for patients, but Existing research shows that information provided by doctors and medical institutions is still the most valued and recognized source of information by patients. Clinicians should be aware of the health information needs of patients and the ubiquitous online information acquisition behavior, which can strengthen the communication between doctors and patients on the acquisition and utilization of online health information, actively ask and pay attention to the use of online health information by patients, and guide patients to obtain information. High-quality health information; and patients should improve their online health information literacy, enhance their ability to identify and evaluate online information, and not blindly follow and blindly trust health information on the Internet.
A survey in South Korea shows that 89% of doctors have the experience of discussing online health information with patients, and they believe that online information can improve patients’ awareness of health problems For the information searched by patients, 43% of doctors believe that it has nothing to do with the patient’s health, and 39% of doctors believe that it is wrong. Therefore, there may be a series of negative effects, such as increasing medical costs due to improper medical services, causing patients to pay too much attention to their health status, and reducing outpatient efficiency.
Lack of patient understanding of medical terminology and medical information can lead to poor medical outcomes, reduced satisfaction with physicians and medical services, and increased health risks . Encouraging patients to use online health information may increase patient compliance. The authors’ suggestions for promoting online health information communication between doctors and patients include: From the patient’s perspective, objective evaluation and active participation should be made. When patients communicate with doctors about online health issues, their main concerns are embarrassment, doctors do not want to hear, think it is unnecessary to mention, and forget to mention.
Therefore, having family members present at the clinic visit, prompting the doctor to ask questions, and prompts in the clinic setting to encourage and recommend talking with the doctor can effectively promote medical treatment. The exchange of online health information between the patient and the patient. From the doctor’s point of view, by giving full play to the advantages of network health information services, information therapy can be used to provide patients with health information and avoid possible risks. The information provided by the information therapy must be relevant, accurate, complete, reliable, easy to understand and practical, and can be used as a reference source of information after the patient’s visit, just like the prescription issued by the doctor. Doctors should understand patients’ online health information behavior, actively provide them with correct usage guidance, and welcome patients to discuss relevant issues with themselves, so as to help patients improve their ability to use online health information and reduce its negative impact on doctor-patient relationship and medical outcomes .