[Digital data and disease management].

Introduction: The search and exchange of digital data via Networks or Internet, especially the web, have become more widely available over recent years. Patients can now find information about their problems.

Objectives: Determine the impact of this information in terms of seeking care.

Methods: Questionnaires were given to adults consulting their doctor.

Results: Health Information on the Internet was searched by 69% of patients which prompted 57% of them to consult. Some of them asked for medical imaging, blood tests or another medical advice. Self-medication was reported by 12% of patients, 15% requested a drug from the pharmacist or doctor, and 11% stopped using or requested a change of the drug.

Discussion: Access to digital data by patients impacts their access to care at various stages. Knowledge leads to changes in behaviour that resulted in modification of access to care … The use of the Internet and the digital data are by patients is a source of learning about the disease itself and also about its management in their interactions with caregivers.

Conclusion: These skills could be used by caregivers to empower the patient’s autonomy.