How Internet Health Information and Falling Trust Are Straining the Patient–Doctor Relationship
For nearly 2,400 years, medicine has relied on a simple but powerful foundation: trust between patients and doctors. From the era of Hippocrates to modern clinical practice, this relationship has been central to effective diagnosis, treatment, and care. But today, that bond is under growing pressure. A new study suggests that the internet, combined with declining trust in the health care system, is quietly reshaping how patients and physicians interact—and not always for the better.
Researchers from University of Florida Health have found that skepticism toward health institutions, government agencies, and official medical guidance is increasingly spilling over into the exam room. The result is a measurable strain on patient–doctor interactions, particularly when patients bring online health information into their appointments.
The Study Behind the Findings
The research, published in Frontiers in Medicine in 2025, examined data from the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), conducted by the U.S. National Cancer Institute. This nationally representative survey included responses from more than 2,500 U.S. adults who reported discussing health information they had found online with a medical provider within the previous year.
The researchers were not focused on whether the information patients found online was accurate or inaccurate. Instead, the study aimed to understand how trust in the broader health care system influences patient experiences when those online findings are brought into a clinical conversation.
What emerged was a clear and concerning pattern.
Trust in the Health Care System Is Lower Than Many Expect
One of the most striking findings was how few people express strong confidence in the health care system overall. Only about one-third of surveyed adults said they had a lot of trust in the health care system. A significant portion reported low trust, reflecting broader skepticism toward institutions, public health authorities, and medical organizations.
This lack of trust did not exist in isolation. Patients who expressed lower trust in the system were far more likely to report negative experiences during doctor visits—especially when internet-sourced health information entered the conversation.
Online Health Searches Can Change Doctor Visits—for Better or Worse
Searching for health information online has become routine. People turn to search engines, social media, forums, videos, and self-proclaimed experts to learn about symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments. In many cases, this behavior reflects engagement and curiosity, not defiance.
However, the study found that how these online discoveries affect doctor visits depends heavily on trust.
Among patients with high trust in the health care system, only about 3% said their interaction with a doctor worsened after discussing information they found online. In contrast, among those with low trust, that figure rose sharply to 17%.
When researchers adjusted for factors such as age, education, income, race, health status, and even political leanings, the pattern remained. Patients with low trust were more than six times more likely to report that bringing internet information into the visit harmed their interaction with their doctor.
Importantly, the findings showed that this effect was not driven by politics. Distrust crossed ideological lines, suggesting that the issue runs deeper than partisan disagreement.
How Low Trust Shapes Patient Perceptions
Patients with lower trust were also more likely to feel that their doctor was less open or less respectful during discussions about online health information. Whether or not this perception matched the doctor’s intent was not the focus of the study, but the perception itself matters. Trust, once weakened, can color how every interaction is interpreted.
When patients distrust one source of information—such as health agencies or medical institutions—they may seek validation elsewhere. Online sources, even unreliable ones, can feel more approachable or affirming. When doctors challenge those sources, patients who already lack trust may see disagreement as dismissal rather than guidance.
This dynamic creates a fragile situation: the doctor–patient relationship becomes vulnerable to broader societal skepticism.
Why This Matters for Health Care Delivery
The patient–doctor relationship is not just a social nicety. It directly affects treatment adherence, shared decision-making, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes. When trust falters, patients may be less likely to follow medical advice, return for follow-up visits, or disclose important information.
The study highlights that distrust in the health care system is no longer confined to abstract opinions about institutions. It now has real, measurable consequences inside clinics and hospitals.
Doctors may find themselves spending more time navigating skepticism, clarifying misinformation, and repairing strained interactions—all while trying to provide effective care.
Being an Informed Patient Is Not the Problem
One of the most important points emphasized by the researchers is that seeking health information online is not inherently wrong. In fact, informed and engaged patients can be a positive force in medical care.
Patients may encounter articles, testimonials, or claims online that raise valid questions about treatments or diagnoses. The challenge arises when those questions collide with low baseline trust.
The study suggests that doctors must now approach these conversations with even greater care. Listening, acknowledging concerns, and calmly explaining medical reasoning are more critical than ever. Many physicians already possess these skills, but the environment in which they practice is changing.
How the Internet Changed the Health Information Landscape
To fully understand this issue, it helps to look at the broader role of the internet in modern health care.
The internet has dramatically expanded access to medical information. Patients can read research summaries, watch explainer videos, and connect with others who share similar conditions. At the same time, the quality of online health content varies widely. Misinformation can spread quickly, especially on social media platforms where emotional or sensational claims often outperform evidence-based guidance.
For individuals who already feel disconnected from or mistrustful of institutions, these alternative sources can feel more relatable—even when they are misleading.
The Difference Between System Trust and Personal Trust
Interestingly, the study notes that many patients still report high trust in their personal doctor, even if they distrust the health care system as a whole. However, that personal trust is no longer insulated from broader skepticism.
As distrust grows, it becomes easier for negative assumptions about institutions to influence perceptions of individual clinicians. This represents a shift from earlier eras, when personal relationships often stood apart from institutional criticism.
What This Means Going Forward
The findings send a clear signal that health care providers cannot ignore the changing trust landscape. Medical expertise alone is no longer enough. Communication, empathy, and transparency are becoming just as essential to effective care.
For patients, the study serves as a reminder that questioning information is healthy—but productive conversations with doctors require openness on both sides. For doctors, it highlights the importance of engaging with patients’ online discoveries rather than dismissing them outright.
If current trends continue, the challenges facing the patient–doctor relationship may grow even stronger. Addressing distrust at both the systemic and interpersonal levels will be essential to preserving the quality of health care in the digital age.
Research Reference:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1665927/full
