Orthodontic patients and the information found on the web: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background In recent years, the Web has become a source of medical information for patients, even though the information available online may be incorrect or qualitatively inadequate. Younger generations, immersed in a digital environment since a very tender age, are more likely to get info...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Oral Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03609-4 |
| _version_ | 1797556049049288704 |
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| author | Roberta Crispino Alice Mannocci Irene Alfonsa Dilena Jackson Sides Federico Forchini Wael Mohammad Asif Alherawi Sylvia A. Frazier-Bowers Cristina Grippaudo |
| author_facet | Roberta Crispino Alice Mannocci Irene Alfonsa Dilena Jackson Sides Federico Forchini Wael Mohammad Asif Alherawi Sylvia A. Frazier-Bowers Cristina Grippaudo |
| author_sort | Roberta Crispino |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In recent years, the Web has become a source of medical information for patients, even though the information available online may be incorrect or qualitatively inadequate. Younger generations, immersed in a digital environment since a very tender age, are more likely to get informed online. This study aims to understand the relevance of online information for prospective orthodontic patients and to investigate the effects of digital research on patients’ decision-making process, and it also aims to investigate potential generational differences between digital natives and digital immigrants. Materials and methods An anonymous questionnaire was developed to investigate patients’ orthodontic-themed Web searches as well as the effects digital material had on their decision-making process. Before submitting the newly designed survey to patients, it was validated in a pilot study. Univariate analysis was applied to analyze the relationship between the demographic characteristics of respondents and their answers on the use of digital research for the decision-making process. Results 64.6% of the study population searched the Web for orthodontic information prior to their visit. Google was the most used platform regardless of patients’ age. The perceived reliability of online sources varied significantly with age. Men displayed more trusting behavior towards their doctor than women. Prospective patients’ satisfaction with affected patients’ decision-making processes, and the perceived reliability of online sources of information had repercussions on the doctor-patient relationship. Conclusions Orthodontists should be aware that the majority of patients use the Internet as a source for orthodontic information, and that patients who are digital immigrants are more prone to trust the information found online. Patients who perceive the information found on the Web as either useful or reliable don’t easily discard it, even if it is inconsistent with the orthodontist’s opinion. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:56:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c2792454e315480aa0d2f42d3935e2b1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6831 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:56:11Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Oral Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-c2792454e315480aa0d2f42d3935e2b12023-11-20T11:07:29ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312023-11-0123111110.1186/s12903-023-03609-4Orthodontic patients and the information found on the web: a cross-sectional studyRoberta Crispino0Alice Mannocci1Irene Alfonsa Dilena2Jackson Sides3Federico Forchini4Wael Mohammad Asif Alherawi5Sylvia A. Frazier-Bowers6Cristina Grippaudo7Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan “La Statale”, Fondazione IRCCS Cà GrandaFaculty of Economics, Universitas MercatorumDepartment of Orthodontics, University of FerraraUniversity of North Carolina Adams School of DentistryFinnish National Dental CarePrivate practiceOrthodontics and Oral Facial Genetics Associate Dean, Student Affairs and Admissions Chief Diversity Officer, Indiana University School of DentistryDental Institute, DDS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCSAbstract Background In recent years, the Web has become a source of medical information for patients, even though the information available online may be incorrect or qualitatively inadequate. Younger generations, immersed in a digital environment since a very tender age, are more likely to get informed online. This study aims to understand the relevance of online information for prospective orthodontic patients and to investigate the effects of digital research on patients’ decision-making process, and it also aims to investigate potential generational differences between digital natives and digital immigrants. Materials and methods An anonymous questionnaire was developed to investigate patients’ orthodontic-themed Web searches as well as the effects digital material had on their decision-making process. Before submitting the newly designed survey to patients, it was validated in a pilot study. Univariate analysis was applied to analyze the relationship between the demographic characteristics of respondents and their answers on the use of digital research for the decision-making process. Results 64.6% of the study population searched the Web for orthodontic information prior to their visit. Google was the most used platform regardless of patients’ age. The perceived reliability of online sources varied significantly with age. Men displayed more trusting behavior towards their doctor than women. Prospective patients’ satisfaction with affected patients’ decision-making processes, and the perceived reliability of online sources of information had repercussions on the doctor-patient relationship. Conclusions Orthodontists should be aware that the majority of patients use the Internet as a source for orthodontic information, and that patients who are digital immigrants are more prone to trust the information found online. Patients who perceive the information found on the Web as either useful or reliable don’t easily discard it, even if it is inconsistent with the orthodontist’s opinion.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03609-4Decision-makingDigital informationDigital nativese-healthGenerational differencesOrthodontics |
| spellingShingle | Roberta Crispino Alice Mannocci Irene Alfonsa Dilena Jackson Sides Federico Forchini Wael Mohammad Asif Alherawi Sylvia A. Frazier-Bowers Cristina Grippaudo Orthodontic patients and the information found on the web: a cross-sectional study BMC Oral Health Decision-making Digital information Digital natives e-health Generational differences Orthodontics |
| title | Orthodontic patients and the information found on the web: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Orthodontic patients and the information found on the web: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Orthodontic patients and the information found on the web: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Orthodontic patients and the information found on the web: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Orthodontic patients and the information found on the web: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | orthodontic patients and the information found on the web a cross sectional study |
| topic | Decision-making Digital information Digital natives e-health Generational differences Orthodontics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03609-4 |
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