Web-Based Patient Education in Orthopedics: Systematic Review

Abstract

BackgroundPatients with orthopedic conditions frequently use the internet to find health information. Patient education that is distributed online may form an easily accessible, time- and cost-effective alternative to education delivered through traditional channels such as one-on-one consultations or booklets. However, no systematic evidence for the comparative effectiveness of Web-based educational interventions exists.ObjectiveThe objective of this systematic review was to examine the effects of Web-based patient education interventions for adult orthopedic patients and to compare its effectiveness with generic health information websites and traditional forms of patient education.MethodsCINAHL, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PUBMED, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched covering the period from 1995 to 2016. Peer-reviewed English and Dutch studies were included if they delivered patient education via the internet to the adult orthopedic population and assessed its effects in a controlled or observational trial.ResultsA total of 10 trials reported in 14 studies involving 4172 patients were identified. Nine trials provided evidence for increased patients’ knowledge after Web-based patient education. Seven trials reported increased satisfaction and good evaluations of Web-based patient education. No compelling evidence exists for an effect of Web-based patient education on anxiety, health attitudes and behavior, or clinical outcomes.ConclusionsWeb-based patient education may be offered as a time- and cost-effective alternative to current educational interventions when the objective is to improve patients’ knowledge and satisfaction. However, these findings may not be representative for the whole orthopedic patient population as most trials included considerably younger, higher-educated, and internet-savvy participants only.

Healthcare professionals’ proposed eHealth needs in elective primary fast‐track hip and knee arthroplasty journey: A qualitative interview study

“…In the previous literature, the eHealth services used have generated cost savings and improved access to care in rural areas (Russell et al, ; Tousignant et al, ). The counselling methods previously used may, however, not be applicable for the whole orthopaedic patient population: most trials have included considerably younger, more highly‐educated and Internet‐savvy participants only (Dekkers et al, ).…”

“…eHealth solutions can also provide educational interventions, which can be defined as 'pedagogic interventions, verbal or written, with a knowledge‐based emphasis designed to convey information' (Roter et al, ). A review by Dekkers, Melles, Groeneveld, and De Ridder () showed that in patient education in orthopaedics, web‐based solutions can be time‐ and cost‐effective alternatives to current educational interventions, measured by knowledge acquisition, patient satisfaction and patient feedback, anxiety, empowerment, self‐efficacy and health attitudes, self‐management and behaviour change as well as clinical outcomes, but until now, most trials have included considerably younger, higher‐educated and Internet‐savvy participants only. However, the use of smart devices and the Internet is becoming more and more common among the older population.…”

The Effect of Self-Care Compact Disk-Based Instruction Program on Physical Performance and Quality of Life of Patients with Burn At-Dismissal

“…15 Self-care instruction causes a reduction in the recurrence and clinic visits of burn patients, 7 but the increase in the self-care knowledge as a means of improvement in quality of life should be provided via instruction. 16 Patient instruction is an important part of treatment that helps patients participate in self-care systems, 17 thereby to empower and keep them bound to the treatment procedures. Moreover, self-care can cause patient satisfaction, readiness for future, disease-related self-efficacy and, on the other hand, enable patients to afford the health care costs through shortening the hospital stays.…”

A patient satisfaction survey investigating pre- and post-operative information provision in lower limb surgery

“…A previous study has demonstrated that online resources can improve both the knowledge of patients and satisfaction with their surgery but should not be used in place of interactions with healthcare providers. (24) Another study suggested that all patients be directed to online resources, which would augment their knowledge and improve their informed status when consenting for procedures. (25) This suggests it may be worth investing in electronic resources to engage patients more.…”