Abstract

MELAMUD, Ariel et al. Pediatricians and patients parents' use of the Internet to obtain health information. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2007, vol.105, n.6, pp.513-516. ISSN 0325-0075.

Introduction. Internet can generate changes in the patient-physician relationship. We describe indicators of pediatricians and patients conduct regarding the use of Internet. Population, material and methods. We surveyed 1432 pediatricians and 501 patients parents'. Information regarding Internet use for health information search and patient-physician communication was retrieved. Results. A total of 291 pediatricians responded; 97% used the Internet for health information search and 85% accepted that their patients used it for the same purpose. All parents answered the survey; 82.7% used the Internet, 46% searched for health information, 15% shared their findings with their pediatrician and 5% received orientation for their search. Conclusion. Many pediatricians use the Internet in their work and accept that their patients search for health information on the web. Half of the parents searched for health-related information on the web, although only 15% shared the findings with their pediatrician. Very few parents received some kind of orientation for health information searching on the Internet.

Keywords : Internet; Medical informatics; Electronic mail/standards; Physician-patient relations.

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