Online sources and trust in doctor-patient relationships: a survey of doctors and patients from the Nizhny Novgorod Region

BACKGROUND: Modern society is witnessing a marked increase in the influence of online sources on communication within the medical field as a social institution.

AIM: To assess the impact of online sources on trust relationship between doctor and patient.

METHODS: A survey was conducted in healthcare organizations in the Nizhny Novgorod Region using proprietary questionnaires for patients and doctors. The study involved 521 patients and 240 doctors.

RESULTS: Among patients, 32.3±2.1% rarely or never, 32.5±2.1% infrequently, 25.9±1.9% occasionally, and only 9.2±1.2% always search for or double-check the diagnosis and doctor’s prescriptions through online sources. Despite this, 82.8±1.6% of patients stated that they prioritize trust in their doctor over information found on websites. For doctors, 61.5±3.1% occasionally encounter patients who have formed opinions about their diagnosis from online sources, 15.0±2.3% always face such situations, 17.5±2.5% rarely do, and only 6.0±1.5% never experience this. Regarding patient reliance on online information, 51.7±3.2% of surveyed doctors take a negative view of the fact that patients double-check the diagnostic criteria and doctor’s prescriptions on websites, 24.9±2.3% support patients in studying information on their condition, and 23.4±2.7% are indifferent. According to 87.8±2.1% of doctors, patients trust information provided by a doctor rather than by online sources.

CONCLUSION: The study shows that 67.6±2.1% of patients access websites to check the accuracy of medical opinions. However, 82.8±1.6% of patients and 87.8±2.1% of doctors believe that information provided by a doctor is of primary importance for patients compared to online sources.