JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Most 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-centred interactions in healthcare. However, concerns are raised about the varying quality of health-related websites and low health literacy in the population. There is a gap in current knowledge of nurses’ experiences with Internet-informed patients.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to explore primary healthcare nurses’ experiences of consultations with patients who present health-related information from the Internet.

Methods:

This is a qualitative study based on interviews with 9 primary healthcare nurses. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results are reported according to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines.

Results:

The phenomenon of Internet-informed patients was considered to change the usual rules in healthcare, affecting attributes and actions of patients, patterns of interactions in consultations, and roles of nurses and patients. Three categories were identified: Facing the downsides of `Googling´, Patients as main actors, and Nurse role challenged. Although the benefits of health-related Internet information were described, its negative consequences were emphasised overall. The problems were mainly ascribed to inaccurate Internet information and patients’ inability to effectively manage the information.

Conclusions:

Our study suggests ambivalent attitudes among nurses towards health-related Internet information. In order to promote equitable care in the digital era, increased awareness in healthcare about useful strategies for overcoming the difficulties and embracing the benefits of conferring with Internet-informed patients seems a legitimate goal.