The Impact of the Internet on the Patient Physician Relationship

The emerging digital economy within the United States has produced an economic expansion far exceeding the expectations of many. Information technology is largely viewed as a component to the success of the New Economy. New technology facilitates change creating new challenges for society. In particular, the Internet has changed many elements within society such as health care. Many Web sites provide medical advice and information to anyone that has access to the Internet. This availability of information has made it conceivable for health care consumers to be better informed without having to visit a physician in person. Both the patient and the physician using the Internet may retrieve the same health care information. Current research has not adequately assessed the impact of the Internet on the patient-physician relationship. Health care professionals as well as social scientists do not clearly comprehend what role the Internet may have on the patient-physician relationship. Little is known about the way in which the role of the clinician is changing in response to the Internet and the changing roles of patients.