Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA
Date of Award
5-2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Communications
First Advisor
Dr. Jessica Raley
Second Advisor
Dr. Cory Cunningham
Third Advisor
Dr. Gregory Selber
Abstract
The Internet is an influential contrivance that has the potential to improve healthcare information dispersion, healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Specifically, patient preparation prior to the medical appointment, such as seeking information about his/ her health situation on the Internet, has been linked to competent medical communication behaviors. As such, the Internet can potentially be used to introduce educational health materials that will help the patient prepare for the medical appointment. But, it is important to first determine Internet usage rates among the study population and assess patient and physician perceptions of the degree to which access to health information on the Internet affects patient medical communication competence behaviors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the way in which patient search for healthcare information on the Internet affects patient medical communication competence behaviors from the point of view of the patient and the physician.
Granting Institution
University of Texas-Pan American
Comments
Copyright 2012 Kelli K. Owen. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/search-health-information-on-internet-perceptions/docview/1025754483/se-2