Internet information and email: shaping professional / patients relationship

by Francisco Lupiáñez-Villanueva, on November 27th, 2009

“Innovative health technologies: health systems in transition Workshop”

Supported by: Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3)

Organized by: Francisco Lupiáñez-Villanueva (Internet Interdisciplinary Institute –UOC) and Michael Hardey (Hull/York Medical School – Science and Technology Studies Unit, Department of Sociology, University of York)

Data: 27th November

Place: UOC IN3 building. Av. Canal Olímpic, s/n. Edifici B3, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona)

Internet information and email: shaping professional / patients relationship

Francisco Lupiáñez-Villanueva and Michael Hardey - Health professionals, the Internet and Internet informed patients

The practice of medicine and health care has been increasingly influence by and made use of the Internet as a source of information, communication and social interaction. This paper examines how doctors, nurses and community pharmacists use the Internet and how this shapes their interaction with patients. It is based on data from surveys of doctors, nurses and pharmacists working within the Catalan National Health Care System (CNHS) that were carried out during 2006. The consequent data provides an extensive and detailed quantitative database that is amenable to multivariate statistical analysis. This analysis is described and from it the manner in which the different health professions engage with Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the Internet is identified.  It is suggested that the Internet should now be understood as part of mundane work and that professionals have recognised that it can be an important source of information and support for patients. There appears to be a cumulative effect whereby the more engaged with ICTs practitioners become the more likely they recognise and respond to patients who want to discuss and use resources and information from the Internet.

Categories: Citizens, Health, Health Communication, Health information, Healthcare Organizations, Healthcare Systems, ICT, Internet, Nurses, Pharmacist, Physicians, Policy and Legal aspects, eHealth, i2tic


ismael peña-lópez said

Quite surprising that the young doctors don’t seem to be advising going to the Internet to get health information. Any ideas on this?


Francisco Lupiáñez-Villanueva said

We are planning to do some qualitative research (interviews and focus groups) to better understand it. But It looks like age acts as a surrogate for career position and that young physicians do not have enough time during face to face meeting to include more information, while older physicians, due to their career position, have less time-pressure in their face to face meeting, specially if they work in private companies or in their own clinics… but… further research is need it.


Francisco Lupiáñez-Villanueva said

By the way, is there any physician reading these comments and the presentation. I would love to see his/her explanation in English, Spanish or Catalan about these findings.


DrG said

Very interesting presentation - the workshop must be interesting as well