Factors Influencing Communication with Doctors via the Internet: A Cross-Sectional of 2014 HINTS Survey

While the medical encounter remains the most trusted channel for patients to obtain health information, the internet is increasingly serving as an alternative medium for doctor-patient communication. This study explores the interplay of contextual factors that may influence patients' online communication with healthcare professionals. The quality of patients' previous experiences of communicating with doctors had a positive moderating effect on the relationship between health information-seeking behaviour and online doctor-patient communication. Future research and interventions should consider the different social contexts influencing physician-patient communication and its implications for healthcare quality.