Forty-six percent of physicians frequently use Internet browsers such as Google and Yahoo as a source for information to diagnose, treat and care for patients, making it the third most frequently used source, according to a Wolters Kluwer Health survey (pdf).
Wolters Kluwer Health's Point-of-Care Survey found the browsers were preceded only by professional journals, which 68 percent of physicians reported using frequently, and colleagues, which 60 percent of physicians refer to frequently. Furthermore, 63 percent of physicians reported they occasionally or frequently change their initial patient care decisions based on information they learned using online resources and support tools.
Nearly 90 percent of physicians said the improved access to online medical information and resources has improved the quality of care at their practice or organization. Only 53 percent, however, said patients' easier access to more medical knowledge had a positive impact on the physician-patient relationship.
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Wolters Kluwer Health's Point-of-Care Survey found the browsers were preceded only by professional journals, which 68 percent of physicians reported using frequently, and colleagues, which 60 percent of physicians refer to frequently. Furthermore, 63 percent of physicians reported they occasionally or frequently change their initial patient care decisions based on information they learned using online resources and support tools.
Nearly 90 percent of physicians said the improved access to online medical information and resources has improved the quality of care at their practice or organization. Only 53 percent, however, said patients' easier access to more medical knowledge had a positive impact on the physician-patient relationship.
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