How Physicians Tackle Internet-Misinformed Patients: Going Beyond Traditional Patient-Centered Communication - A...

Area of Science:

• Medical Communication
• Digital Health Literacy
• Patient-Physician Relationship

Background:

• Misinformation online poses risks to patient health and quality of life.
• Physicians' role in addressing patient misconceptions from online health information is often overlooked.
• This study investigates physician communication strategies for internet-misinformed patients (IMPs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand physicians' communicative strategies when dealing with IMPs.
• To explore the link between physicians' communication tactics and patient-centered communication.
• To identify effective approaches for managing health misinformation in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews with 10-15 physicians from diverse cultural backgrounds (Switzerland, Italy, China).
• Interviews cover experiences with IMPs, communication strategies, and patient-centered care.
• Thematic analysis using a general inductive approach will be employed.

Main Results:

• Insights into physicians' practical approaches for correcting patient misconceptions.
• Understanding of how physicians balance patient preferences and shared decision-making.
• Exploration of challenges and ideal scenarios in physician-patient communication regarding online information.

Conclusions:

• Findings will inform effective clinical communication strategies for addressing online health misinformation.
• Results will guide policymakers and healthcare providers on patient-centered communication in the digital age.
• This research highlights the critical need for physician training in managing health misinformation.