Pain in the Bone – Internet Health Information among Orthopaedic Patients
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Abstract
Background
Medical information on the internet is a powerful tool for patient self-education. It can either enhance patient's knowledge and control over the disease or mislead him. In a recent survey we performed among orthopaedic surgeons, almost half of them felt that only minority of their patients used the internet for their health problems. We conducted this current study among orthopaedic patients to learn about their habits of health-related internet use and examine if these depend on demographic and disease-specific variables. We hypothesized that younger patients and patients with chronic diseases will be more internet-friendly. The objective of this study is to examine the internet health information consuming patterns and attitudes among orthopaedic patients.
Methods
After Institutional Helsinki committee approval, 600 patients from six different orthopaedic outpatient clinics were prospectively recruited to the study. Patients with disease duration shorter than six months were excluded. Each patient was asked to answer a questionnaire that included, along with some demographic and general information, questions about patient's internet use concerning the current orthopaedic condition. In the questionnaire the patient was asked about: - Whether the internet was used - What are exact questions the patient wanted to find the answer to (natural history of the disease, optional treatments, complications, recommendation about specific surgeon, alternative medicine recomendations etc). - Whether he was satisfied with information he found - The discrepancy between the internet based information and the real treatment options the patient was provided - Whether the patient tried to use his internet-based knowledge, asking from the doctor for additional explanations, changes in the treatment or surgical approach, additional tests, alternative treatment. - If internet self-education influenced the patient-physician relationship, perception of control and compliance with the treatment - Whether the physician referred the patient to the internet ("Internet prescription").
Results
Research in progress.
Conclusions
Research in progress.
Medical information on the internet is a powerful tool for patient self-education. It can either enhance patient's knowledge and control over the disease or mislead him. In a recent survey we performed among orthopaedic surgeons, almost half of them felt that only minority of their patients used the internet for their health problems. We conducted this current study among orthopaedic patients to learn about their habits of health-related internet use and examine if these depend on demographic and disease-specific variables. We hypothesized that younger patients and patients with chronic diseases will be more internet-friendly. The objective of this study is to examine the internet health information consuming patterns and attitudes among orthopaedic patients.
Methods
After Institutional Helsinki committee approval, 600 patients from six different orthopaedic outpatient clinics were prospectively recruited to the study. Patients with disease duration shorter than six months were excluded. Each patient was asked to answer a questionnaire that included, along with some demographic and general information, questions about patient's internet use concerning the current orthopaedic condition. In the questionnaire the patient was asked about: - Whether the internet was used - What are exact questions the patient wanted to find the answer to (natural history of the disease, optional treatments, complications, recommendation about specific surgeon, alternative medicine recomendations etc). - Whether he was satisfied with information he found - The discrepancy between the internet based information and the real treatment options the patient was provided - Whether the patient tried to use his internet-based knowledge, asking from the doctor for additional explanations, changes in the treatment or surgical approach, additional tests, alternative treatment. - If internet self-education influenced the patient-physician relationship, perception of control and compliance with the treatment - Whether the physician referred the patient to the internet ("Internet prescription").
Results
Research in progress.
Conclusions
Research in progress.
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