Knowledge of Internet-using patients about the perioperative period of orthognathic surgery

Abstract

Background: Identify the knowledge and information needs of Internet-using patients undergoing orthognathic surgery by blogs and virtual communities.Methods: Exploratory descriptive study that obtained the data from virtual communities and blogs of Portuguese language not administrated by surgeons or treatment clinics. Thematic content analysis was used to identify the comments of interest and it was identified 257 posts that fit the study's objective. Results:The data were separated in two groups: pre and post-operatory period. The most common topics were related to recovery, paresthesia, costs, edema, fear, and outcome. Other problems, such as pain, eating, anesthesia, regret, mouth opening, kissing, doubt, laser therapy, voice changes, procedures, counsel, difficulty breathing, acne, orthodontics, relief, faith, physical therapy, medical licensure, hair loss, and acupuncture, were also discussed. Conclusions:Based on this analysis, we concluded that principal information needs of internet-using patients are related to the recovery of the masticatory functions and reducing the edema and paresthesia. A good professional-patient bond can help patients to clarify their doubts and avoid the use of Internet to solve their postoperative difficulties.

Anxiety and knowledge of patients before being subjected to orthognathic surgery

“…Studies conducted in Brazil (14)(15) on the perception/knowledge of patients after orthognathic surgery report the patients' difficulty to carry out oral hygiene and feed themselves properly, which can predispose the presence of food residue in the oral cavity, halitosis, gingivitis and infection. It is assumed that patients become afraid to move their lips and cheeks and show or touch the suture.…”

Educational intervention in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery: Pilot study

“…Studies conducted in Brazil [15,16] on the perception/knowledge of patients after orthognathic surgery reported the difficulty of patients in performing oral hygiene and eating properly, hence poor oral hygiene can predispose the presence of food residue and infection in the oral cavity.…”

“…It consisted of individualized verbal guidance with respect to postoperative care using printed educational material with guidelines and illustrations related to the perioperative care of orthognathic surgery. The educational material entitled "Orthognathic Surgery for Patients", previously designed for this intervention, was based on the identification of orthognathic surgery patients' needs for information through a focal group, [15] searches in the virtual environment (blogs), [16] and knowledge of the guidelines currently given by surgeons. This material was validated by the professionals and the patients regarding the clarity and relevance of the information.…”

Avaliação da efetividade da intervenção com material educativo em pacientes cirúrgicos: revisão integrativa da literatura

“…Dentre os diversos cenários em que o uso de tecnologias educativas se faz presente, destaca-se a assistência perioperatória. O paciente, quando submetido a uma intervenção cirúrgica, pode ter as suas necessidades psicológicas e fisiológicas alteradas, o que contribui para um desequilíbrio físico-emocional 7 .…”

“…Atualmente destacam-se também os recursos da internet, como os relatos de experiência em blogs ou outras comunidades virtuais, e até mesmo informações sobre o procedimento em sites específicos. Mas, dadas as características intrínsecas de cada indivíduo, o conteúdo pode contribuir para a ansiedade que se vivencia no pré-operatório 4,7 .…”