Approximately one-third of adults search the internet for health information before visiting an emergency department (ED), with 75% encountering inaccurate content. This study examines how such searches influence patient care. We conducted an observational study of ED visits over a 12-month period, surveying 214 of 576 patients about pre-ED internet use. Data on demographics, comorbidities, acuity, orders, prescriptions, and dispositions were extracted. Patients who searched were typically younger, healthier, and more educated. Most used a general search engine to ask symptom-related questions. Compared to non-searchers, they were less likely to receive lab tests (RR 0.78, p=0.053), imaging (RR 0.75, p=0.094), medications (RR 0.67, p=0.038), or admission (RR 0.68, p=0.175). They were more likely to leave against medical advice (RR 1.67, p=0.067) and receive opioids (RR 1.56, p=0.151). Findings suggest inaccurate health information may contribute to mismatched expectations and altered care delivery.

翻译：大约三分之一的成年人在前往急诊科就诊前会在互联网上搜索健康信息，其中75%会接触到不准确的内容。本研究探讨了此类搜索如何影响患者护理。我们对为期12个月的急诊就诊情况进行了观察性研究，在576名患者中调查了214名患者关于就诊前的网络使用情况。提取了人口统计学特征、合并症、病情严重程度、医嘱、处方和处置方案等数据。进行搜索的患者通常更年轻、更健康且受教育程度更高。大多数人使用通用搜索引擎询问症状相关问题。与未搜索者相比，他们接受实验室检查（RR 0.78, p=0.053）、影像学检查（RR 0.75, p=0.094）、药物治疗（RR 0.67, p=0.038）或住院（RR 0.68, p=0.175）的可能性更低。他们更可能违背医疗建议离院（RR 1.67, p=0.067）并接受阿片类药物处方（RR 1.56, p=0.151）。研究结果表明，不准确的健康信息可能导致患者期望与医疗实际不匹配，并改变医疗服务的提供方式。