Internet as a source of patient information – Patient Targeted Googling

Abstract

Abstract Introduction. Access to Internet resources has resulted in changes in the perception of principles related to interpersonal communication, privacy and sharing of personal information. Medical personnel may use data obtained from the Internet to supplement information gathered during the patient interview or to reveal a different picture of the patient’s health status. In PTG, it is crucial to assess the motivation for such an action, respect the patient’s rights and obtain his consent, comply with the rules of medical ethics, as well as assess the usefulness of such an action for the therapeutic process. There are questions as to whether the information provided is true, and to what extent it is altered by cognitive or mood disorders. Aim. The aim is to present selected issues related to the search for information about patients on the Internet by the therapeutic team. Method. Analysis of research and scientific studies in the Medline and PubMed databases. Summary. Scientific studies confirming the occurrence of PTG phenomenon, refer to the issue of ethical principles, obtaining patient’s consent, reliability of recorded data and true identity of patients, inclusion of obtained information in their medical records and its importance in shaping the relationship between the patient and the therapeutic team.