Use of internet resources by patients awaiting gastroenterology consultation

The purpose of this study is to understand how outpatients awaiting initial gastroenterology consultation seek medical information on the Internet and how wait times affect Internet usage.

A cross-sectional survey of 87 gastroenterology outpatients awaiting consultation was performed at a tertiary care center.

Fifty-two patients (60%) utilized the Internet for medical information. The mean age of patients using the Internet was 41 years, whereas the mean age of those not using the Internet was 60 years (p<0.0001). The Internet was used by 71% of females and 47% of males (p<0.05). Regarding the educational level, the Internet was sought by 33% of the patients possessing less than secondary school education, 59% possessing secondary school education, 66% with an undergraduate degree, and 100% with a postgraduate degree (p=0.14). The mean wait time for consultation for patients who utilized the Internet was 158 days, and for patients who did not was 147 days (p=0.60). The most common websites searched were medical, 71%. The most common medical information sought was symptoms and diagnosis by 85% of patients. The reasons for Internet use were wait times for 36% of patients and recommendation by a physician for 10%. Eighty seven percent of the patients who utilized the Internet believed that they suffered from an unidentified disease, whereas 46% of patients who did not utilize the Internet believed the same (p=0.0001).

Younger patients and females were more likely to use the Internet, but wait times did not affect Internet usage. The Internet is a powerful patient resource; however, further physician guidance is required to help patients identify reliable resources.