Patients’ Use and Perception of Internet-Based Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Resources

Abstract

Background: Current research is sparse regarding how patients with orthopaedic injuries perceive and use internet-based information resources. Hypothesis: The majority of patients use the internet to research their orthopaedic condition and are receptive to guidance from their provider. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 213 patients attending a sports medicine clinic on the East Coast of the United States were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their use of internet-based information. Data from 185 patients were available for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to determine the significance of identified associations. Results: Overall, 54% of patients used the internet to find information about their orthopaedic condition prior to their consultation. A higher percentage of internet users were women (P =.01), were white (P =.03), and had internet access at home (P =.02). Multivariable analysis found home internet access to be the only significant independent factor predictive of patients using internet-based information sources (P