Haematology patients and the internet – The use of on-line health information and the impact on the patient–doctor relationship

• 62.3% of participants used the internet and 54.3% used OHI.
• Higher education and income of £15 000–25 000 were associated with OHI use.
• Trust of physicians, confidence and decision making improved if OHI reassured users.
• Confidence and decision making improved if OHI increased users’ trust of physicians.

ObjectivePatients access on-line health information (OHI) to better understand their health. We aimed to determine which demographic factors influence OHI use. We also explored how OHI is used and subsequent implications to the patient–doctor relationship.MethodsWe distributed a self-administered questionnaire to 202 haematology out-patients.Results62.3% used the internet and 54.3% used OHI. Higher education, (P < 0.001, OR 34.62, 95% CI 5.20–230.66) and household incomes of £15 000–25 000 (P = 0.023 OR 4.8 95% CI 1.236–18.59) were positively associated with OHI use.Those reassured after reading OHI had improved trust in their specialist (P < 0.001, OR 52.1, 95% CI 12.3–221.1), improved confidence during consultations, (P < 0.001, OR 23.0, 95% CI 2.8–188.2) and were improved decisions makers (P = 0.008, OR 13.6, 95% CI 4.1–45.7). Those with increased trust in their haematologist also had improved confidence (P < 0.001, OR 6.2, 95% CI 2.2–17.3) and improved decision making ability (P < 0.001, OR 13.6, 95% CI 4.7–39.4). 74.6% of patients did not share OHI with their haematologist.ConclusionsTwo-thirds of participants were exposed directly or indirectly to OHI. OHI affects patients’ view of their health and influences behaviour during consultations.Practice implicationsHaematologists could facilitate patients using OHI by recommending high quality websites and act supportively when patients share OHI.