Table 3.

Major themes for physicians’ attitude toward the OHI^a.

Themes or subtheme and attitude toward OHI			Example quotes
Accessibility
	Positive	“Waiting times in the hospital or clinics in general can be very long. So, when patients search the internet for health advice, they can avoid unnecessary travel time and get the information they need.”
Coordination of care
	Positive	“Instead of the doctor being the only manager of patient care, internet health has emerged in which patients and their doctors are partners in managing their care.
	Positive	“the Internet can actually empower patients and enrich the patient–doctor relationship.”
Technical competence
	Positive	“I believe doctors should know the available sources of OHI and be aware of the updates.”
	Negative	“We should not assume that all patients know how to use the internet and access reliable health information sources.”
Communication
	Negative	“Some physicians have concerns regarding the over informed patient.”
	Negative	“Some patients may give negative impression on their physicians when they discuss the obtained OHI with them. They feel challenged by their patients.”
	Negative	“I believe the intention to provide online health information was to grant doctors better conditions, to be faster with patients. but with over-informed patients, we spent more time with them to convince them with the treatment options and answer their endless questions.”
Engagement
	Positive	“patients who read more about their health problem, I found them more engaged in their management plan.”
	Positive	“I think doctors has an important role which is encouraging patients to read more about their health problem and to take part in their health care plan.”

^aOHI: online health information.