Talking about Dr. Google: Communication strategies used by nurse practitioners and patients with inflammatory bowel disease in the Netherlands to discuss online health information

Objective
This study explores how patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and nurse practitioners (NPs) in the Netherlands communicate about online health information-seeking.

Methods
We analyzed 165 consultations of patients at the start of maintenance treatment using grounded theory. Consultations in which the words; internet, website, Google, Googled, webpages, online (forum/blog/platform) or a website was mentioned, were included. Segments were identified and analyzed that represented a discussion about online health information-seeking (n = 87). We coded the initiator, initiation and reaction communication strategy.

Results
Half of the sample was female, most patients were moderately to highly educated and aged on average 48 years. One third of the consultations included a discussion about online health information-seeking. Seventeen communication initiation and reactions strategies were identified. Patients and NPs were equally as likely to initiate a neutral discussion about online health information-seeking. Patients repeatedly reacted with disclosing their concerns. NPs responded by taking patients’ online health information-seeking seriously or affirming patients’ beliefs.

Conclusion
This exploration makes a unique contribution by demonstrating that NPs particularly adopt a patient-centered communication style while communicating about patients’ online health information-seeking.

Practice implications
Results of this study could guide interventions to train providers in talking about patients’ online health information-seeking.