AIMTo evaluate social media usage of orthopaedic patients to search for solutions to their health problems.METHODSThe study data were collected using face-to-face questionnaire with randomly selected 1890 patients aged over 18 years who had been admitted to the orthopaedic clinics in different cities and provinces across Turkey. The questionnaire consists of a total of 16 questions pertaining to internet and social media usage and demographics of patients, patients’ choice of institution for treatment, patient complaints on admission, online hospital and physician ratings, communication between the patient and the physician and its effects.RESULTSIt was found that 34.2% (n = 647) of the participants consulted with an orthopaedist using the internet and 48.7% (n = 315) of them preferred websites that allow users to ask questions to a physician. Of all question-askers, 48.5% (n = 314) reported having found the answers helpful. Based on the educational level of the participants, there was a highly significant difference between the rates of asking questions to an orthopaedist using the internet (P = 0.001). The rate of question-asking was significantly lower in patients with an elementary education than that in those with secondary, high school and undergraduate education (P = 0.001) The rate of reporting that the answers given was helpful was significantly higher in participants with an undergraduate degree compared to those who were illiterate, those with primary, elementary or high school education (P = 0.001). It was also found that the usage of the internet for health problems was higher among managers-qualified participants than unemployed-housewives, officers, workers-intermediate staff (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONWe concluded that patients have been increasingly using the internet and social media to select a specific physician or to seek solution to their health problems in an effective way. Even though the internet and social media offer beneficial effects for physicians or patients, there is still much obscurity regarding their harms and further studies are warranted for necessary arrangements to be made.
The role of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in the prediction of length and cost of hospital stay in patients with infected diabetic foot ulcers: A retrospective comparative study
Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the changes in health-related life quality via EQ-5D survey in patients with hallux valgus deformity who were treated with Lindgren-Turan method.Materials and methods: Totally 60 patients (30 patients in Stockholm and 30 patients in Istanbul) with hallux valgus deformity who were treated with Lindgren-Turan method were included in the study. The health-related life quality levels were preoperatively and postoperatively recorded and compared for all patients via EQ-5D survey and changes were noted. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the patient's response to the question of how much healthy they feel. Radiological parameters were not taken into account in the course of life quality comparison.Results: Pain and discomfort were found to be the most common complaints (87%) among the patients in the preoperative period which were followed by restricted motion caused by the deformity and difficulty in daily activities (60%). VAS score were significantly much worse in Turkish patients in the preoperative period. All parameters, including especially daily personal care and hygiene, were significantly improved postoperatively. VAS score which was questioning the general health status of the patients was also increased significantly (p<0.01).Conclusions: Lindgren-Turan method for the surgical treatment of hallux valgus provides a significant recovery in patient's health-related life quality.
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