Thyroid patients' use of the Internet: A description and analysis

This study describes a group of thyroid disease patients using the Internet. Hypotheses include: (1) patients using the Internet are dissatisfied with their relationship with their physicians, (2) patients believe their physicians do not respond positively when presented with Internet information, and (3) patients believe the Internet positively affects their health and use its resources to manage their disease.;A self-reporting Web-based questionnaire was utilized. Results are from 664 responses. Results failed to confirm two of three hypotheses. Almost 60% of respondents described themselves as satisfied with their relationship with their physician. Respondents did not perceive their physicians as responding negatively to Internet information. They appeared to use Internet resources to help manage their disease. The Internet was cited more often than physicians as respondents' most trusted source of information for thyroid disease. Reliable Internet information offers patients the opportunity for better informed decision-making and greater participation in their care.