The Impact of Online Communication on Doctor-Patient Relationship: Plastic Surgeon's Perspectives

Kim, Suk Wha; Kim, Jeong Eun; Lee, Sun Young

Abstract

PURPOSE: The objective of the study is to identify plastic surgeons' views on the effects of online communication between doctors and patients.
METHODS
Cross-sectional online survey of members of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons was made to identify their evaluation on the accuracy and the relevance of the internet health information and their perceptions of the effects of discussing the information with the patients on time-efficiency, requests for specific interventions, health outcomes, and the doctor-patient relationship. A questionnaire with 25 items was sent to the surgeons' e-mails, and 111 replied. SPSS Win version 12.0 was used to analyze the statistical differences and meanings among data.
RESULTS
The percentage of the plastic surgeons who were experiencing the online communication was 65.8%, and the most frequent medium used was homepage of the clinic/hospital. Even though the percentage of the plastic surgeons who were using the online communication for their everyday practice was high, the percentage of patients who visited the clinic/hospital after using the website of the clinic/hospital was relatively low. The effects of online communication on doctor-patient relationship were neutral in 40(36.0%) and positive in 39(35.1%). The effects on the efficiency of the practice was positive in 45(40.5%), and the effects on the quality of care and the patients' outcome were positive in 46(41.4%) respectively.
CONCLUSION
The ratio of surgeons who are experiencing the online communication is relatively high, whereas the ratio of patients who are using online communication is low. Most of plastic surgeons are positive on the effects of the online communication on doctor-patient relationship, quality of care, and patients' outcome.