Posters

Content quality of online patient information materials for cataract surgery

Poster Details

First Author: R.Shenoy UK

Co Author(s): R. Shenoy   H. Magill   R. Shenoy              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The popularity of the internet for information is rapidly growing with a 2012 national survey reporting that 72% of American adults have searched online for health information. Several studies highlight concerns regarding quality and accuracy of online information. The use of online health information affects patient engagement with healthcare and the patient-physician relationship, which are essential for effective shared decision making. The 2014 Health Survey for England showed cataracts were the most commonly reported ophthalmological condition amongst adults and this study aims to analyse the quality of information available on the internet specifically related to cataract surgery.

Setting:

Internet searches carried out at Imperial College London, School of Medicine, UK.

Methods:

The local healthcare trust consent forms and National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) patient information sources were examined to create a set of criteria to assess the content of online information. These criteria included categories relating to patient eligibility for cataract surgery, processes surrounding the procedure, post-operative symptoms and rates of success and complications. A generic search engine was then used to find patient information relating to cataract surgery and three independent adjudicators evaluated the sources according to the presence or absence of the pre-determined criteria. There were no restrictions on the modes of patient information included.

Results:

The internet search yielded 39 sources of patient information, including 20 webpages and 19 videos. Most of the information available online had been produced by commercial health information providers (64.1%) and individual medical professionals (28.2%). The vast majority (82.8%) were targeted towards patients, and in some cases, both patients and medical staff. Only 25% of sources gave details surrounding the process of the procedure with 60% omitting post-operative details. Only 13.9% and 15.8% of all sources mentioned success and complication rates respectively. Furthermore, pain was the only post-operative symptom reported in 54% of sources.

Conclusions:

The quality of the content of material available online relating to cataract surgery is exceptionally variable and these information sources need to be further assessed with regards to intelligibility. With the growing use and acceptability of online health information amongst patients, healthcare providers must develop or recommend more accurate sources of patient information. This will serve to better address patient concerns, improve shared decision making and increase patient satisfaction following cataract surgery.

Financial Disclosure:

None