Paediatric clinicians' experiences of parental online health information seeking: A qualitative study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this research was to explore clinicians' experiences of parents' online health information seeking (OHIS) behaviour about selective dorsal rhizotomy for the management of cerebral palsy. Methods: Using qualitative methodology, clinicians likely to have had experience with parents requesting selective dorsal rhizotomy were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Interviews with 13 clinicians were recorded, transcribed and inductive content analysis was used to identify, code and organise the data into themes. Results: Participants highlighted how parental OHIS was changing clinical communication. Negative effects included a shift in clinicians' attention from giving advice and guidance to spending time discussing online findings, justifying how this information applies to a particular child and managing parents' judgments about clinical views. Positive effects included more collaboration and sharing of ideas. These results are presented in three main themes: (i) the informed parent; (ii) the clinicians' role; and (iii) a new clinical dynamic. Conclusion: This research reinforces the notion that OHIS is changing the communication dynamic and clinicians' and parents' roles within the clinical encounter. Of significance was the number of challenges clinicians are facing as a result of online information, including managing parental understanding of non-evidenced information and responding to negative feedback about their practice. This research suggests a need for educational support and ongoing professional development for clinicians to assist them to adjust to new goals and expectations of clinical interactions with 'informed' parents.

How paediatricians communicate with parents who access online health information

“…This study highlights the ways in which the doctor-parent relationship is evolving through paediatricians' communication approaches with Internet-informed parents, such as improved balance in the doctor-parent relationship. 4,10 The paediatricians' expectations that most parents search online are consistent with recent findings in a paediatric tertiary hospital that almost 90% of parents searched online. [5][6][7]16 Paediatricians were concerned about parents' digital health literacy, in line with recent findings highlighting that parents focus more on relevancy (e.g.…”

“…Therefore, the paediatricians in this study most commonly reported using a patient‐centred communication approach when discussing online health information with parents. This study highlights the ways in which the doctor–parent relationship is evolving through paediatricians' communication approaches with Internet‐informed parents, such as improved balance in the doctor–parent relationship 4,10 …”

“…The benefits of shared decision-making have been postulated in previous research, including increased adherence to treatment. 4,10,15,22 Paediatricians may opt for a coconstructive communication approach since they have grown accustomed to managing the delicate doctor-parent-child triangle. This approach was the only one that used the Internet as a means of strengthening the doctor-patient bond.…”

“The stakes could not be higher”: A mixed methods study of parental social media use in pediatric oncology

“…A study of 40 parents of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) found that parents turn to SM to meet information needs because the information is immediate, targeted to their specific questions and concerns, and tailored to their roles as parents or caregivers 7 . One study that explored clinicians’ experiences with parents seeking health information online found that clinicians felt obliged to reallocate time in order to help parents better understand the concept of “evidence” in medicine and to respond to perceived critiques of their practices 15 . Parents, furthermore, inevitably encounter conflicting information, testing their trust in their physicians’ advice 15 .…”

“…One study that explored clinicians’ experiences with parents seeking health information online found that clinicians felt obliged to reallocate time in order to help parents better understand the concept of “evidence” in medicine and to respond to perceived critiques of their practices 15 . Parents, furthermore, inevitably encounter conflicting information, testing their trust in their physicians’ advice 15 . Yet these challenges—navigating discordant information and building trust in this age of SM and disinformation—have received scant attention in the literature.…”