• J R Soc Med · Oct 2008

    eHealth as a challenge to 'expert' power: a focus group study of internet use for health information and management.

    • Louise S Donnelly, Rachel L Shaw, and Olga B A van den Akker.
    • School of Life & Health Sciences, Aston University Birmingham, UK. donnells@aston.ac.uk
    • J R Soc Med. 2008 Oct 1;101(10):501-6.

    ObjectiveTo investigate current use of the internet and eHealth amongst adults.DesignFocus groups were conducted to explore participants' attitudes to and reasons for health internet use.Main Outcome MeasuresThe focus group data were analysed and interpreted using thematic analysis.ResultsThree superordinate themes exploring eHealth behaviours were identified: decline in expert authority, pervasiveness of health information on the internet and empowerment. Results showed participants enjoyed the immediate benefits of eHealth information and felt empowered by increased knowledge, but they would be reluctant to lose face-to-face consultations with their GP.ConclusionsOur findings illustrate changes in patient identity and a decline in expert authority with ramifications for the practitioner-patient relationship and subsequent implications for health management more generally.

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