A Place for Redditors to Heal: What Are Patients Asking About Their Fractures on Social Media?

Résumé

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with orthopedic injuries frequently utilize online resources to seek information that could be proactively addressed through anticipatory guidance from their healthcare provider. A gap in the literature exists regarding the information orthopedic patients seek from the internet to meet their educational needs.PURPOSE: To ascertain the topics and reasons for seeking orthopedic information from online sources.METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized the online orthopedic subreddit called "r/brokenbones" to examine patients' reasons for seeking online help, the varying aspects and emotional tone of the posts, and the background of patients/responders.RESULTS: Data from 195 posts demonstrated that most inquiries centered around recovery and progress expectations. The primary reason for posting was a concern or need for advice, followed by the request for general information. The underlying emotional tone of the posts was one of concern or worry.CONCLUSION: Given that patients increasingly turn to the internet for information, modern healthcare teams must recognize the role of online forums in patient experience and develop strategies for educating and communicating more effectively.