Alaska Med. 2002 Oct-Dec;44(4):75-82
Consumer access to health care information: its effect on the physician-patient relationship.
Jacob J.
Alaska Neonatology/Pediatrix Medical Group, 3340 Providence Dr, Suite 366, Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USA. Jack-Jacob@pediatrix.com
Studies have shown that physicians exchange minimal information with patients during a patient encounter. Yet patients of all socioeconomic backgrounds increasingly desire and seek medical information, especially over the Internet. This change in patient behavior is likely to have a profound effect on the physician-patient relationship. Many physicians react defensively when patients bring them information on their condition with questions about traditional and non-traditional therapies. This can degrade trust and communication, both key elements in the physician-patient relationship. There are several models of the physician-patient relationship that are described. The deliberative or collaborative model, where the physician helps the patient choose their preferred health-related values, represents our societal norm. Such a model is conducive to physicians acting as a directed facilitator for medical information acquisition by patients. It is also consistent with patients' desire to obtain on-line information under the guidance of a physician. Such a model can not only aid patient's acquisition of medical information, but also help patients assess the quality of information, and help them apply the information to their personal situation. The adoption of this new role for physicians is likely to enhance the therapeutic aspects of the physician-patient relationship.
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- 1 Which doctor should I see?
- 2 What are symptoms and signs?
- 3 How can we be certain whether an abnormality that my doctor has found is the cause of my problem or an incidental finding?
- 4 How do doctors arrive at a diagnosis?
- 5 What does a gynaecologist do during a consultation?
- 6 What is the purpose of the pelvic examination?
- 7 Will a blood test to assess a hormone level provide a guide to treatment.
- 8 I have a phobia about blood tests. What should I do?
- 9 What is pelvic ultrasound?
- 10 What are CAT and MRI scans?
- 11 Will my general practitioner receive information from my specialist gynaecologist?
- 12 Will I see the same specialist every time I attend the out-patients clinic?
- 13 What is known about emotion. Information?
- 14 Could my emotional problems be of hormonal origin?
- 15 Does my doctor understand my anxieties and concerns about my gynaecological problem?
- 16 How much information do patients want about their condition?
- 17 Will the doctor listen to my views on how my problems should be managed?
- 18 How do doctors decide on the best treatment?
- 19 How do doctors decide on the best hormone treatment?
- 20 How long will my hormone treatment be effective?
- 21 What are the risks of surgery?
- 22 How long do gynaecological operations take?
- 23 Have there been advances in gynaecological surgical treatment?
- 24 I have been offered a choice of treatments. How can I decide which will be best for me?
- 25 What is the place of support groups?
- 26 Where can I obtain more information?
- 27 Are there any dangers in acquiring health information on the internet?
- 28 Support Groups.
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