Title
Paging Dr. Google: The Effect of Online Health Information on Trust in Pediatricians' Diagnoses.
Publication Date
2019
Journal Title
Clin Pediatr
Abstract
This study investigates how parental trust in physician diagnoses and likelihood of seeking a second opinion (SO) are affected by Internet sources. In an anonymous survey, 1374 parents of minors viewed a vignette describing their child's symptoms followed by Internet results that either supported or contradicted the pediatrician's diagnosis (Dx). A control group did not view any Internet results. After learning the Dx, participants rated trust in the Dx and likelihood of seeking a SO on a 7-point Likert-type scale. Participants who viewed contradicting results were less likely to trust the Dx ( P < .001) and more likely to seek a SO than the control ( P < .001). Participants who viewed supporting results were more likely to trust the Dx ( P < .001) and less likely to seek a SO than the control ( P < .001). Physicians must be aware of the influence the Internet may have on patients' trust.
Volume Number
58
Issue Number
8
Pages
889-896
Document Type
Article
Status
Faculty
Facility
School of Medicine
Primary Department
General Pediatrics
PMID
DOI
10.1177/0009922819845163