Dr. Google – How Patients are Using Online Resources in Healthcare Decisions

The internet has transformed how we seek information, especially in healthcare, where answers are often just a search away. While some patients simply want reassurance, others look to the internet as a decision-making tool before ever setting foot in a doctor’s office. A recent survey of 1,000 U.S.-based consumers commissioned by Weave sheds light on how patients across generations use online resources for health research and how it impacts their interactions with healthcare providers.

As patients increasingly turn to digital sources for medical insights, healthcare providers must adapt to meet evolving patient expectations. Let’s look at what we found in our survey and how practices can respond to this change.

Generational Differences in Health Research

Different generations bring distinct approaches to their healthcare journeys, shaped by their access to information and comfort with online resources.

• Millennials are notably proactive, with 43% spending a few minutes online researching symptoms before booking a doctor’s appointment—no matter what they uncover online.
• Gen Z, by contrast, often uses online information as a filter, with nearly half (45%) choosing to make an appointment only if the internet suggests their symptoms are serious.
• Baby Boomers rely least on online information, with over one-third (36%) saying they place little trust in the internet for medical advice and rely instead on their doctors.

This gap underscores a new challenge for healthcare providers. Younger patients, fluent in digital resources, are accustomed to blending self-research with professional advice, while older patients may see online information as secondary to in-person consultations. Healthcare providers today have a unique opportunity to bridge this divide, blending expertise with empathy toward patients’ online research.

The Role of Self-Diagnosis in Patient Care

Online research is now a regular part of the healthcare journey for many, with younger generations often using the internet to diagnose before consulting a doctor. Only 36% of patients don’t self-diagnose at all, others strike a balance between online research and seeking a professional opinion. 

More than 1 in 5 Gen Z patients (21%) rely on self-diagnosis when symptoms match an illness they already recognize. For providers, this means patients are likely arriving with expectations based on what they’ve read online. However, not all patients feel equally comfortable bringing these findings to their doctor; nearly a third (30%) of Gen Z patients admit to being timid about sharing their self-diagnoses in appointments.

Understanding these self-diagnosis habits gives providers a chance to invite open discussions about patients’ online findings and build trust while guiding them toward accurate information and effective treatments.

Challenges in Discussing Online Research with Doctors

Even when patients bring up online findings, many hesitate to disclose that these came from the internet. Our survey showed that one-third of patients (33%) share symptom concerns without mentioning online research as the source. However, Gen X patients stand out as the most comfortable in sharing their findings—30% reported they aren’t shy about discussing online research, but only when they deem it necessary.

For many patients, though, doctors’ reactions are critical. 62% of Gen Z respondents said they’d feel “slightly” or “very” upset if a doctor dismissed concerns rooted in online findings, and that percentage decreases as age increases. Building trust here is key. It’s not about debating every internet search but fostering a respectful exchange that reassures patients.

Healthcare providers who acknowledge patients’ research show openness, encouraging them to express concerns and ultimately improving the quality of patient-provider interactions.

Trust and Credibility of Online Medical Resources

The sources patients turn to online also differ, often based on trust. Our survey found that patients prefer reputable sites for their health information, with WebMD (63%) and Mayo Clinic (47%) topping the list. Research-focused organizations and sites backed by real doctors boost patients’ confidence in the information. While older generations focus more on medically validated sources, Gen Z prefers cross-verification, with half (50%) indicating they trust information if multiple sources agree.

Healthcare providers can guide patients to trustworthy resources, reinforcing that while online information is accessible, professional insight is irreplaceable.

Meeting Patients’ Needs with Communication and Accessibility

Most patients would be more open to their doctor’s advice if their online research concerns were addressed first—59% said it would make them more receptive to doctors’ recommendations. 

When it comes to accessibility, respondents pointed to online chat options (39%) and 24/7 emergency access (37%) as the most helpful services doctors could provide. Digital solutions like chat and telehealth have become essential for practices aiming to meet modern patient expectations, helping providers stay connected with patients before, during, and after visits. 

Offering digital communication options like online chat, FAQs, and telehealth can help practices address patients’ questions and concerns promptly, improving overall engagement and satisfaction.

Bridging the Digital Divide with Thoughtful Patient Support

The rise of online health research represents a pivotal moment in healthcare, calling on providers to engage patients in more meaningful conversations and guide them toward well-informed health decisions. Practices that embrace this evolution stand to enhance the patient experience by making healthcare more collaborative, reliable, and responsive.

Methodology:

The May 2024 study collected responses via a Dynata online survey from 1,000 U.S.-based consumers under the age of 77. This research was generated by Weave.

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