Internet usage time and trust in doctors: evidence from China

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Digital Communication

Background:

• Growing internet penetration significantly impacts various sectors, including healthcare.
• Existing research on the link between internet usage duration and public trust in physicians remains limited.
• Understanding this relationship is crucial for public health communication strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between time spent online and public trust levels in doctors.
• To explore the underlying mechanisms driving this relationship, considering the internet's role as an information and communication channel.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 19,193 observations from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2020 using multiple regression models.
• Examination of relative trust in doctors versus strangers based on internet usage time.
• Mediation and moderation analyses to explore the internet's role as an information source and communication platform, including social media engagement.

Main Results:

• A significant negative correlation was found between increased internet usage time and trust in doctors, consistent across various analyses.
• This negative association was stronger among older, male, married, less educated, insured, and urban populations.
• Internet use as an information source negatively impacts trust, while online socializing can mitigate this effect; however, social media engagement showed an overall negative impact.

Conclusions:

• Contrary to some individual-focused studies, this research indicates that greater internet usage by the general public correlates with diminished trust in doctors in China.
• The internet primarily shapes collective perceptions of physicians, influencing public trust.
• Healthcare providers should proactively enhance online communication channels to engage with patients and the public.