This document discusses the changing relationship between patients and physicians in Arab countries due to increased internet and e-health use. Some key points: 1) The patient-physician relationship has been altered, with informed patients now taking a more active role in their healthcare decisions. 2) Many patients feel doctors don't provide enough information or listen carefully to complaints. Patients now frequently search online for medical information. 3) E-health can both positively and negatively impact the relationship by empowering patients but also potentially spreading confusing information. 4) Bridging the gaps in online health information and improving physician-patient online interactions may help strengthen their relationship.

1. S
Patient–Physician
Relationship
e-Healthcare and Arab Patient Behavior

2. Patient–Physician’s Relationship
Doctors are:
S An Idol
S Patients' Psychological Adviser
S Educated Professional Person Who Detains The Medical Knowledge

3. Patient–Physician’s Relationship
Users/Patients are:
S Young, Energetic and Pro-active
S Well Informed
S Knowledge Hungry
The Arab Digital Generation

4. Patient–Physician’s Relationship
Major Shift:
S Patient-Physician Relationship Has Been Altered:
> A New Decision Model Has Been Created in Which The
“Informed Patient” Takes an Active Role in His/Her
Healthcare.

5. S 35% of Users Say They Feel That Physicians Do Not Provide
Enough Information
S 34% of Users Feel That Physicians Don’t Listen Carefully to
Their Complaints

6. Users/Patients e-Behavior
S 3 out of 4 Internet Users Search For Medical Information, And
Depend on Internet as Main Source of Information
S 89% of Users Look-up Every Symptom They Feel And Every
Medication They Get Prescribed Online
Source: Altibbi survey – Quality of health care services in MENA region, 2012

7. Positive/Negative Influence
of e-Health
Constrains:
S Physicians Resistance to e-Health
Findings
S Patients Lack Critical Appraisal Skills
S Information Can Be Confusing And
Misleading
Advantages:
S E-health Strengthen The Relationship
Between Patients and Physicians
S E-health Leads To Open Discussions
About Healthcare Information
S Well Informed Patients Leads To Better
Compliance (more in control of their health)

8. Bridging The Gap
S 53% of Users Believe That There Is a Need To Enhance The
Medical/Health Information on The Net (3)
S 50% Would Visit a Doctor Just From Reading His Profile on The
Internet (1)
S 65% of Patients Have Stated That They Are More Willing To
Switch To a Physician Who Positively Interact With Them By
Utilizing Online Communication Tools
(1) Source: Altibbi survey – Quality of health care services in MENA region, 2012
(3) HON foundation. September 2007. http://www.healthonnet.org/project_Afrique_FR/ (accessed 23 Jan 2009)

9. Bridging The Gap
Studies Has Shown That Physicians Who Had Prior Online Interaction
With Their Patients Reported:
S 54% of Users Followed Physician Advice More Closely(1)
S 54% Made Self-Directed Dietary Changes(1)
S 67% of Physicians Report Having Patients Discussing Internet
Information With Them (2)
(1) Iverson SA, Impact of Internet Use on Health-Related Behaviors and the Patient-Physician Relationship: A Survey-Based Study
and Review. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 2008; vol 108
(2) Jason Fleming. Health information on the Internet. The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 2003; 123; 10

10. e-Health Successful Stories
Hear It From
Altibbi’s Members

11. Open to Questions

12. How Altibbi Can Help Improve
Patient – Physician’s Relationship
S Altibbi is more than just a web and
mobile web platform. Altibbi is a
health and medical partner that not
only connects patients to certified
physicians but also connects
physicians to physicians
S It offers a free marketing channel for
physician to build online presence
and improve patient-physician
relationship

13. Altibbi’s e-Patients Profile
Where they’re coming from Gender Age Groups

14. Altibbi’s Users Medical and
Health Concerns
Top Concerns
Social Media
Interactions
Education Preventive

15. Conclusion: Benefits of
e-Healthcare
S Improve Patient Self-Care And Health And Medical Knowledge
S Improve Comprehension of Information Given by Physicians
S Build Online Reputation And Reach More Patients
S Increase Patient Satisfaction And Word-of-Mouth Referral

16. Open to Questions

17. Thank You!
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