Display options
Cite
Wangler J, Jansky M. Internetassoziierte Gesundheitsängste in der hausärztlichen Versorgung – Ergebnisse einer Befragung unter Allgemeinmedizinern und hausärztlich tätigen Internisten in Hessen. [Internet-Associated Health Anxieties in Primary Care - Results of a Survey among General Practitioners and Primary Care Internists in Hesse]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2019;144(16):e102-e108doi: 10.1055/a-0842-8285.
Wangler, J., & Jansky, M. (2019). Internetassoziierte Gesundheitsängste in der hausärztlichen Versorgung – Ergebnisse einer Befragung unter Allgemeinmedizinern und hausärztlich tätigen Internisten in Hessen. [Internet-Associated Health Anxieties in Primary Care - Results of a Survey among General Practitioners and Primary Care Internists in Hesse]. Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946), 144(16), e102-e108. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0842-8285
Wangler, Julian, and Jansky, Michael. "Internetassoziierte Gesundheitsängste in der hausärztlichen Versorgung – Ergebnisse einer Befragung unter Allgemeinmedizinern und hausärztlich tätigen Internisten in Hessen." [Internet-Associated Health Anxieties in Primary Care - Results of a Survey among General Practitioners and Primary Care Internists in Hesse]. Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946) vol. 144,16 (2019): e102-e108. doi: https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0842-8285
Wangler J, Jansky M. Internetassoziierte Gesundheitsängste in der hausärztlichen Versorgung – Ergebnisse einer Befragung unter Allgemeinmedizinern und hausärztlich tätigen Internisten in Hessen. [Internet-Associated Health Anxieties in Primary Care - Results of a Survey among General Practitioners and Primary Care Internists in Hesse]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2019 Aug;144(16):e102-e108. doi: 10.1055/a-0842-8285. Epub 2019 Mar 01. German. PMID: 30822804.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2019 Aug;144(16):e102-e108. doi: 10.1055/a-0842-8285. Epub 2019 Mar 01.

[Internet-Associated Health Anxieties in Primary Care - Results of a Survey among General Practitioners and Primary Care Internists in Hesse].

Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)

[Article in German]
Julian Wangler, Michael Jansky

Affiliations

  1. Zentrum für Allgemeinmedizin und Geriatrie, Universitätsmedizin Mainz.

PMID: 30822804 DOI: 10.1055/a-0842-8285

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It may happen that extensive internet search leads to health anxiety in patients, which solidify in the long term. Dealing with such 'cyberchondria' presents a special challenge for the physician. The study highlights general medical attitudes and experiences with regard to patients who are increasingly searching the Internet for symptoms, illnesses or therapies. Particular emphasis will be given to persons who develop health anxieties due to previous Health information on the Internet. It will be determined which procedures make sense in order to respond appropriately to patients with internet-related health concerns.

METHODS AND PARTICIPANTS: In the course of a written survey, a total of 844 general practitioners and primary care internists in southern Hesse and additionally in the rural districts of Gießen, Marburg-Biedenkopf, Kassel and the city of Kassel were interviewed between April 20 and June 20, 2018.

RESULTS: Two-thirds of respondents assume that 15 % or more of their own patients confront them with the results of their own internet search. 73 % see the emergence of internet-related health anxiety as an increasing problem in patient care. Against this background, the respondents predominantly see negative effects caused by online self-information (psychological stability, expectations towards the doctor). Almost one of five doctors (18 %) has already experienced the termination of care relationships due to an extensive internet search by the patient. In order to respond to unsettled or frightened patients, the physicians surveyed rely on a detailed explanation of the diagnosis and/or therapy and recommend certain websites that they consider to be reputable.

DISCUSSION: The authors argue that the online information search should be actively discussed in the patient interview in order to prevent possible negative effects on the doctor-patient relationship. Accordingly, it would be worth considering to extend the medical history by the dimension of online self-information.

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Conflict of interest statement

Die Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.

MeSH terms

Publication Types