Do Patients Look Up Their Therapists Online? An Exploratory Study Among Patients in Psychotherapy

Facial attractiveness increases the likelihood of choosing a psychotherapist, irrespective of sexual preferences and perceived trustworthiness

OBJECTIVES

Existing research suggests that a psychotherapist's physical attractiveness can shape patients' initial evaluation. However, less is known about how facial attractiveness affects the decision to select one psychotherapist over another prior to therapy. In this study, conducted with a Spanish-speaking sample (N = 108, 63 females, Mage = 32.08 years, SD = 17.50), we examined whether facial attractiveness influenced the likelihood of choosing a psychotherapist and whether this effect was moderated by sexual differences.

METHODS

The experimental design closely replicated an online professional therapist directory to enhance ecological validity. Participants were instructed to rate the likelihood of selecting each individual as their therapist.

RESULTS

Results demonstrated that psychotherapists with attractive facial features were chosen more frequently, even when perceived trustworthiness and competence were controlled for. No significant differences were observed between profiles featuring unattractive faces and those with no profile picture. Crucially, neither the therapist's nor the patient's gender and sexual preferences (i.e., sexual attraction) moderated the observed effect.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that the preference for attractiveness in therapist selection is not driven by mating intentions nor by a "halo effect" related to trustworthiness or competence. Practical implications for therapist selection and patient decision-making are discussed.

Exploring the practice and attitudes of psychiatrists and psychologists towards patient-targeted googling in China

Background

Patient-targeted Googling (PTG) is an unavoidable aspect of the internet era, offering both opportunities and risks. However, no PTG studies have been conducted in Asian contexts to date. Additionally, existing research has provided limited exploration of factors influencing PTG practices, particularly regarding the professional differences between psychiatrists and psychologists. This study seeks to address these research gaps.

Method

A total of 943 licensed psychiatrists and psychologists working in China completed an online survey. The survey included their attitudes towards PTG (including general attitude, application situations, reasons for/against PTG) and their actual practice of PTG.

Results

250(26.5%) respondents reported using PTG. Among them, 151(60.4%) respondents sought consent from clients before use, and 142(56.8%) respondents discussed search results with clients after use. Chinese psychiatrists and psychologists have contradictory attitudes, with concerns but also recognition of its possible positive effects, and expressing a need for more guidance. Compared to psychiatrists or those working in public institutions, psychologists and those working in private institutions report greater concerns about PTG but engage in it more frequently.

Conclusions

Although the sample is limited, the study reveals notable differences in attitudes and practice of PTG among Chinese psychiatrists and psychologists, which may be related to their distinct professional roles and workplace environments. These findings suggest the need for further research to better understand the underlying factors contributing to these differences. Moreover, the results highlight the importance of developing tailored ethical guidelines and targeted training programs to address PTG practices for psychiatrists and psychologists in China.

Patients' perspectives on the quality of online patient education materials: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Access to online patient education information can lead to more effective self-care and disease management. However, the large amount of online information provided through unknown or unreliable sources can challenge patients to trust and use this information. This study was designed to examine the opinions of Iranian gastrointestinal patients about the quality of online information used.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis. Data were gathered via a semi-structured interview with 29 gastrointestinal patients, and data analysis was performed by qualitative content analysis using open coding with MAXQDA 2018 software.

RESULTS

Based on the study, 22 codes were extracted in nine subcategories named as: "Emphasis on the identity of providers," "Nature of online information," "Distrust on online information," "Poor quality of information," "Giving misinformation," "False impact," "Improve communication," "Positive effect on the patient," "Better Diagnosis."

CONCLUSIONS

In the current situation, Iranian patients are not confident enough about the quality of available online information. They believe that the use of current poor-quality information has negative consequences. However, they tend to use online patient education materials are produced in Persian by reputable scientific authorities. Using online information can increase patients' knowledge and lead to better communication with medical staff and other similar patients. They can use this information for self-care with more confidence, and such an approach can also have significant benefits for the national health system.

Physician, Protect Thyself: Why Psychiatrists Should Be Aware of Their Internet Presence and How to Protect Themselves

ABSTRACT

Modern psychiatric practice requires the use of the Internet, and the current pandemic has accelerated the adoption of technology in clinics. Psychiatrists receive significant education on protecting patient privacy and medical information when using these tools. However, they receive little training regarding protecting their own personal privacy in the Internet era. Private information, often without one's knowledge, is frequently available online and accessible by patients. The work of physicians and psychiatrists creates additional unique vulnerabilities to privacy. Given the essential nature of the Internet in modern clinical practice, physicians should understand how to monitor and protect personal privacy and safety online. We provide advice to minimize vulnerability to a privacy breach, with a focus on areas unique to psychiatrists and psychiatric practice. We review the literature on physician safety online and offer guidance to get started.

Secret powers: Acts of Googling in the therapeutic relationship

OBJECTIVE

The ease of online searching has diminished people's expectations of privacy and the ability to control access to information about oneself, which can alter basic assumptions about the therapy relationship.

METHOD

This grounded theory study explored psychotherapists' experiences of searching online for patients and being searched for by patients, among 28 clinicians of primarily psychodynamic orientation.

RESULTS

Many therapists search online for information about patients, but often minimize or rationalize this action and do not share it with their patients. Meanwhile, while they believe their patients search for them, they find it difficult to raise the topic directly in therapy. Thus, when it comes to online searching and discovery of information, an air of secrecy pervades the therapeutic relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the serious implications that the pervasiveness of online searching has for the treatment relationship, therapists lack sufficient support for exploring their motivations, curiosities, and urges surrounding this action.

Patient-Targeted Googling by New Zealand Mental Health Professionals: A New Field of Ethical Consideration in the Internet Age

BACKGROUND

Patient-targeted Googling (PTG) describes the searching on the Internet by healthcare professionals for information about patients with or without their knowledge.

INTRODUCTION

Little research has been conducted into PTG internationally. PTG can have particular ethical implications within the field of mental health. This study was undertaken to identify the extent of PTG by New Zealand mental healthcare professionals and needs for further guidance regarding this issue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All (1,850) psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and psychotherapists working in New Zealand were electronically surveyed about their experience of PTG and knowledge about the associated practice of therapist-targeted Googling (TTG) using a questionnaire that had previously been developed with a German sample. Due to ethics and advertising restrictions, only one indirect approach was made to potential participants.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight clinicians (5%) responded to the survey invitation. More than half (53.4%, N = 47) of respondents reportedly being engaged in PTG, but only a minority (10.3%, N = 9) had ever received any education about the subject. Reasons for undertaking PTG included facilitating the therapeutic process, information being in the public domain, and mitigating risks. Reasons against undertaking PTG included impairment of therapeutic relationship, unethical invasion of privacy, and concerns regarding the accuracy and clinical relevance of online information. Two-thirds of participants reported being the subject of TTG.

DISCUSSION

New Zealand psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and psychotherapists are engaging in PTG with limited education and professional guidance. Further discussion and research are required, and so, PTG is undertaken in a manner that is safe and useful for patients and health practitioners.

Professional Ethics for Digital Age Psychiatry: Boundaries, Privacy, and Communication

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Internet and social media use continue to expand rapidly. Many patients and psychiatrists are bringing digital technologies into the treatment process, but relatively little attention has been paid to the ethical challenges in doing this. This review presents ethical guidelines for psychiatry in the digital age.

RECENT FINDINGS

Surveys demonstrate that patients are eager to make digital technologies part of their treatment. Substantial numbers search for professional and personal information about their therapists. Attitudes among psychiatrists about using digital technologies with patients range from dread to enthusiastic adoption. Digital technologies create four major ethical challenges for psychiatry: managing clinical boundaries; maintaining privacy and confidentiality; establishing realistic expectations regarding digital communications; and upholding professional ideals. Traditional ethical expectations are valid for the evolving digital arena, but guidance must be adapted for actual application in practice.