Patients' views on GPs using the Internet during consultations
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative exploration of patients’ attitudes towards GPs using the Internet during the consultation
IRAS ID
147257
Contact name
Ray Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Plymouth University
Research summary
While consulting with patients, many general practitioners (GPs) access the Internet to find medical information. The information they find has been shown to alter their decision making. However GPs are unlikely to have had any training in how to do so and they lack any published guidance on the practice.
Evidence suggests that many GPs are unduly concerned that going online may make patients lose confidence in them, while some GPs do not appreciate that younger patients can be discerning of the websites they choose to use. Some patients are also cautious about bringing the Internet into the consultation, often withholding their Internet reading from their doctor.
Although evidence is limited and often anecdotal, we argue that there is currently uncertainty in both doctors and patients about how the Internet (as opposed to computers in general) fits into the etiquette of the GP consultation. The concern of this author is that this uncertainty is at times inhibiting GPs from effectively embracing the Internet as a useful resource for medical information during their consultations.
We intend therefore to explore qualitatively the little researched topic of patients’ views about GPs using the Internet during consultations. A maximum variation sample of up to 20 patients will be recruited from patients attending three GP practices in SW England, for semi-structured interviews in the 24 hours after a GP consultation. Interviews by phone or face-face will explore patients’ views about doctors’ use of the Internet during a consultation. We also intend to conduct a focus group of between 6 and 8 participants.
It is hoped that the findings might give GPs more knowledge about how or when to use the Internet during their consultations. It is also hoped to stimulate further research directed towards developing formal guidance on the practice.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
14/NS/1029
Date of REC Opinion
26 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion