Patients’ use of the Internet for pain-related medical information

Abstract

Objective

Patients increasingly use the Internet for medical information. For doctor–patient communication it is important to gain insight into the use and impact of medical Internet searches of patients. This study aims to evaluate patients’ use of the Internet for information about their pain problem.

Methods

A self-administered survey on pain-related Internet use was sent to 200 new patients attending a university pain center. The response rate was 61%.

Results

Half of all respondents used the Internet for medical information and a smaller percentage (39%) searched for specific information about pain. Patients found information on the Internet to be of good quality and quite easy to find and understand. In general, Respondents did not learn anything new. The on-line medical information confirmed what they already knew. Less than half of the respondents discussed information from the Internet with their physician.

Conclusion

Half of all patients used the Internet for medical information. Patients are reasonably certain that the information is accurate and reliable, while this may not always be the case.

Practice implications

Physicians should inquire about patients’ use of various sources of information (such as the Internet) and offer to clarify any questions or concerns that arise from that use.

Introduction

In recent years the Internet has become one of the major sources of medical information. Worldwide 4.5% of all Internet searches are health related [1]. According to a recent Dutch survey 83% of Dutch citizens between 12 and 75 years of age have access to the Internet and 47% of those have used the Internet to obtain medical information [2]. Large amounts of medical information are now widely available on the Internet and easily accessible to those with Internet access. For many people Internet is now their major source of health information. Searches on the Internet are mostly aimed at information and advice about symptoms, disorders and treatments [3]. The Internet allows patients to communicate with fellow-sufferers. Many websites contain forums or provide the opportunity to chat. Other possibilities are on-line doctor consultation, on-line ordering of drugs, and Internet therapy aimed at psychological problems or coping with chronic diseases. The possibilities seem endless and are easily available to large groups of people.

The majority of patients feel the information on the Internet is reliable and of good quality [4]. Physicians on the other hand remain sceptical about the advantages of the Internet as a source of medical information for the layperson. Health professionals are concerned about the quality of the information and fear that those who consult websites for medical information may not be as likely to consult a real doctor when serious health problems arise [5]. A lot of information on the Internet is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date. Desperate patients (for instance patients with unexplained chronic pain) may seize whatever information is available, even information concerning unproven treatments or personal opinions of fellow-patients. Information on the Internet is unregulated and it can be difficult to distinguish accurate from inaccurate sources. A lot of information is commercial, but cannot easily be identified as such. Without proper guidance, information on the Internet can be harmful, confusing and overwhelming [6].

For physicians it is important to know whether and how their patients use the Internet for information concerning their health. In a survey of patients of a primary care practice in the United States only a minority (41%) of those using the Internet for health information discussed this information with their doctor [4]. As patients increasingly obtain medical information from the Internet and become active participants in the maintenance of their own health, the doctor–patient relationship changes accordingly [5]. It has been advised that physicians should specifically inquire about their patients’ use of the Internet and assist patients in their search for accurate, reliable and understandable information about their disease [7].

Not much is known about the health-related Internet use of (pain) patients in the Netherlands. The aims of this study were to determine the proportion of patients attending a university pain center who use the Internet to obtain information about their pain problem and to establish how these patients find, evaluate and use this information.