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RESEARCH PAPER
Searching for patient information in Internet resources by nursing and midwifery students
1
Department of Specialized Nursing, Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Poland
2
Department of Internal and Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Poland
Submission date: 2024-08-04
Final revision date: 2025-02-11
Acceptance date: 2025-02-11
Online publication date: 2025-11-19
Corresponding author
Katarzyna Wojtas
Department of Specialized Nursing, Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 25, 30-501 Kraków, Poland
Department of Specialized Nursing, Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 25, 30-501 Kraków, Poland
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
The phenomenon of patient targeted googling (PTG) is present not only among health care professionals, but also among medical students. Given the complexity of the issue, there is a need to undertake research that captures its multifaceted nature. The paper presents an excerpt of results from the project ‘Internet as a source of patient information.’
Aim:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PTG phenomenon among nursing and midwifery students.
Material and methods:
The survey was conducted among 153 students using a diagnostic survey method based on the author’s questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out based on PQStat v. 1.8.4.142.
Results and discussion:
More than half of the students confirmed searching for information about patients several times a year, mainly through Facebook, mostly out of curiosity, a desire to get to know the patient better, to help them, to understand their behavior as well as their outward appearance and presented behavior. Information rated as relevant was shared with all members of the treatment team. The students pointed out the positive aspects of PTG, but searching for information about the patient without informing, in their opinion, mainly violates the principles of informed consent, privacy, professionalism and trust. The respondents advocated the need for training in this area and reported knowledge deficits in legal and ethical issues relating to PTG.
Conclusions:
The PTG phenomenon is present among nursing and midwifery students.
The phenomenon of patient targeted googling (PTG) is present not only among health care professionals, but also among medical students. Given the complexity of the issue, there is a need to undertake research that captures its multifaceted nature. The paper presents an excerpt of results from the project ‘Internet as a source of patient information.’
Aim:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PTG phenomenon among nursing and midwifery students.
Material and methods:
The survey was conducted among 153 students using a diagnostic survey method based on the author’s questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out based on PQStat v. 1.8.4.142.
Results and discussion:
More than half of the students confirmed searching for information about patients several times a year, mainly through Facebook, mostly out of curiosity, a desire to get to know the patient better, to help them, to understand their behavior as well as their outward appearance and presented behavior. Information rated as relevant was shared with all members of the treatment team. The students pointed out the positive aspects of PTG, but searching for information about the patient without informing, in their opinion, mainly violates the principles of informed consent, privacy, professionalism and trust. The respondents advocated the need for training in this area and reported knowledge deficits in legal and ethical issues relating to PTG.
Conclusions:
The PTG phenomenon is present among nursing and midwifery students.
FUNDING
Jagiellonian University Medical College, project number N43/DBS/000183.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None declared.
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