La relazione medico-paziente nell'era del web 2.0: Una ricerca esplorativa su rappresentazioni sociali, mediazione di internet e fiducia

The study investigated the relationship between general practitioner and patient in the Web 2.0 era, analyzing the social representation that the patient has of the doctor, the use by patients of the resources made avalaible by Internet and the influence on the relationship with their doctor, the patient's trust in the doctor and the influence of the internet use. The research, carried out within the Local Health Authority of Savona, involved 112 people with an average age of 50 years. The data were collected through an ad hoc questionnaire, completed at the doctors' offices. The results highlight the presence of a patient who takes an active role in the management of his health, using internet to look for health information, and evaluating skills and willingness of the doctor of which he chose to trust. A long-lasting relationship with the doctor and the presence of a doctor who devotes time to the patient during the visit are two important elements that can mediate the use of the internet for the search of health information and for the management of the relationship with the doctor. Even if the patient uses the web to understand his symptoms and physician's diagnosis, and sometimes is less compliant with the doctor's prescriptions, the doctor, who is given a lot of trust, continues to play a central role in verifying the information found on the internet. The competence and the willingness resulted as important elements to strengthen trust in the doctor and to make less necessary the use of the web to look for reassurance.