Both doctors and patients may see the Internet as a potential challenge to existing therapeutic relationships. This article explores patients' views on the impact of the Internet on their relationships with their doctors. Eight disease-specific focus groups of two to eight respondents were conducted, comprising adult patients with diabetes, ischaemic heart disease or hepatitis C. Data were presented on the perceived benefits and limitations of the Internet in the context of the doctor-patient relationship, views on information sharing with doctors and the potential of the Internet for the future . Despite evidence of increasing patient activism in seeking information and the potential to challenge the doctor's position, the accounts cited here in no way suggest a desire to disrupt the existing balance of power or roles in consultations. It seems that patients see the Internet as an additional source of support for existing and valuable relationships with doctors. Therefore, doctors need not feel threatened when patients bring health information from the Internet to a consultation, rather they should see it as an attempt by the patient to cooperate with the doctor.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Helge-
Skirbekk/publication/51056692_Mandates_of_Trust_in_the_Doctor-.
Patient_Relationship/links/545f5c4e0cf27487b4509ef2/Mandates-of-Trust-in-the-Doctor-.