Dr. Google e a porta de entrada do SUS: novas relações médico-paciente na estratégia saúde da família

Abstract

In the ocean of information on the internet is Google, where one out of every twenty searches on health in Brazil takes place. Access to this knowledge reaches patients who are eager to know what is happening with their own health. In order to understand how this new technological reality influences the doctor-patient relationship, doctors and users of the Family Health Strategy (ESF) were heard, the gateway to the Unified Health System, which, due to its proposal to promote and prevent health allows for a greater approximation. The research was developed in the context of the ESF in the municipality of Eusébio, which has well-structured Family Health Teams (EqSF). A qualitative, exploratory and transversal approach was chosen. As a starting point, a literature review was carried out involving five generating themes: Communication in Health, Family Health Strategy, Doctor-patient relations, Digital Health and Fake News. In the field stage, semi-structured interviews were carried out with doctors who make up the EqSF and focus groups covering users from three territories. The content analysis was anchored in the themes: access to information, communication skills and use of information. The research pointed out that patients seek the internet from the onset of the first symptoms. Also after the medical consultation, they continue researching, in case there are doubts about the diagnosis and treatment. Patients yearn to be actors in the health care process and to have the opportunity to dialogue with the doctor, during the consultation, about their findings on Google. Physicians agree with the research, as long as the validation is from the professional. They consider "Dr. Google" sometime as villain, when he induces self-medication and increases anxiety; sometime as an ally, when it is a source of updating and qualified knowledge. It was observed that the quality of communication established between doctor and patient interferes with the relational component of trust, reducing internet consultations. It is concluded that the influence of the Google internet platform on the doctor-patient relationship can be optimized with investment in health education. Patients who need to be oriented on the risks and benefits of looking for health information on the internet and doctors who lack continuing education, from graduation to during their professional routine, since they act as health educators and are expected to be a mediator in a shared care team.