Side Effects: They Googled It

By
Kerri Miller
May 27, 2026

Conexiant

Overview

A qualitative study reveals that patients often seek health information online, diverging from clinicians' sources. This information asymmetry highlights the need for practitioners to recognize patients' experiential knowledge from peer communities.

Background

Understanding how patients seek health information is crucial in modern healthcare, especially as digital literacy increases. The disparity in knowledge sources between patients and clinicians can complicate shared decision-making. Recognizing this dynamic is essential for improving patient engagement and communication in clinical settings.

Data Highlights

No numerical data available in the article.

Key Findings

Patients predominantly use Google, Reddit, and TikTok for health information.
Clinicians do not utilize social media for health-related information.
There exists an information asymmetry between patients' experiential knowledge and clinicians' clinical knowledge.
The concept of epistemic injustice is relevant, as both parties hold valid but unrecognized expertise.
Study findings are hypothesis-generating and not practice-changing due to the small, skewed sample size.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should engage with patients about their information sources to enhance understanding and communication. This approach can foster better shared decision-making and address potential biases stemming from differing knowledge bases.

Conclusion

Recognizing the diverse sources of health information that patients access can improve clinician-patient interactions and ultimately enhance care outcomes.