Date of Award

11-21-2008

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Communication

First Advisor

Yuki Fujioka - Chair

Second Advisor

Jaye Atkinson

Third Advisor

Holley Wilkin

Abstract

The Internet’s popularity as a health resource (also referred to as e-health) for patients is impacting the doctor-patient relationship and health care overall. Many patients now tend to look on the Internet for the information they seek in order to avoid the hassle of going to the doctor. It is important to investigate how the doctors themselves feel about this impact and see what factors influence their behaviors toward patients with regards to e-health. This study used mediation behavior theory and the theory of reasoned action to assess the relationship between doctors’ beliefs/attitudes and their subjective norms about e-health and their mediation behavior toward patients. Results revealed that many factors, including perceived benefits of the effects of e-health, perceived concerns about possible negative effects, evaluations, positive experiences with patients and social norms indeed affect the type of mediation behavior doctors perform with patients when discussing e-health.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/1061312

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