Primary Health Care Nurses' Experiences of Consultations With Internet-Informed Patients: Qualitative Study.

Anna E Sjöström,Senada Hajdarevic,Agneta Emmoth,Åsa Hörnsten,Ulf Isaksson

doi:10.2196/14194

Anna E Sjöström, Senada Hajdarevic + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2196/14194

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Abstract

BackgroundMost people in modern societies now use the Internet to obtain health-related information. By giving patients knowledge, digital health information is considered to increase patient involvement and patient-centered interactions in health care. However, concerns are raised about the varying quality of health-related websites and low health literacy in the population. There is a gap in the current knowledge of nurses’ experiences with Internet-informed patients.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore primary health care nurses’ experiences of consultations with patients who present health-related information from the Internet.MethodsThis is a qualitative study based on interviews with 9 primary health care nurses. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results are reported according to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines.ResultsThe phenomenon of Internet-informed patients was considered to change the usual rules in health care, affecting attributes and actions of patients, patterns of interactions in consultations, and roles of nurses and patients. Three categories were identified: (1) Facing the downsides of Googling, (2) Patients as main actors, and (3) Nurse role challenged. Although the benefits of health-related Internet information were described, its negative consequences were emphasized overall. The problems were mainly ascribed to inaccurate Internet information and patients’ inability to effectively manage the information.ConclusionsOur study suggests ambivalent attitudes among nurses toward health-related Internet information. In order to promote equitable care in the digital era, increased awareness in health care about useful strategies for overcoming the difficulties and embracing the benefits of conferring with Internet-informed patients seems to be a legitimate goal.

Highlights

In the ongoing digitalization of modern societies, health care has been affected
The phenomenon of Internet-informed patients was considered to change the usual rules in health care, affecting attributes and actions of patients, patterns of interactions in consultations, and roles of nurses and patients
The theme that emerged and encapsulated the essence of experiences related by the primary health care nurse SFO-V (PHN) was Internet-informed patients change the rules of the game

Summary

Introduction

In the ongoing digitalization of modern societies, health care has been affected. The widely used term eHealth refers to the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in health care. The World Health Organization has acknowledged the potential of ICT to play a major role in improving public health and it urges member states to prioritize the development of eHealth technology [1]. The vision of the Swedish government is that by 2025, Sweden will be the best country in the world at using eHealth to make it easier for people to achieve good and equal health and to increase patients’ participation [2]. Most people in modern societies use the Internet to obtain health-related information. Digital health information is considered to increase patient involvement and patient-centered interactions in health care. There is a gap in the current knowledge of nurses’ experiences with Internet-informed patients

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Conclusion