One in four patients who have researched common surgery - such as hernia repair or gallbladder removal - on the internet are confused and worried by what they find, research reveals.
The report, by clinicians at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, calls for better information to be made available on trust websites after finding that 58% of patients looking online for additional information are using search engines.
Previous studies have demonstrated that most people who look for health-related information through search engines use short, often misspelt search phrases and seldom go beyond the first page of search results.
The study, in the Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, shows that searches for simple surgical phrases often produce poor quality or sponsored results. There was great variability in the usefulness of the available information on surgical treatment options and surgical complications.
Report author Mr Anand Tamhankar said: “Information about medical conditions or procedures available on the internet is unregulated, sometimes commercially sponsored and often overwhelming to the patients.
“Having appropriate preoperative information is vital for patients and it does influence outcomes from surgical procedures. Our study highlights the need for regulated comprehensible patient information on hospital websites that patients should be actively made aware of. ”
Sue Woodward, chair elect of the Patient Liaison Group of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said: “It is vital that patients have access to appropriate, understandable information before and after an operation. Too often information provided online is patchy, unregulated and inconsistent.
“Good communication doesn’t end with discussing care with the patient in person, and doctors should stay up-to-date with what is available online so they can highlight the good sites to find information that is regulated and accurate.”
The study surveyed 105 patients undergoing elective hernia or gallbladder surgery, all of whom were asked to complete a questionnaire on the morning of their operation on arrival to the ward.
Read the Royal College of Surgeons’ patient information.
Tags: Patient information
