A Quality Assessment of Online Patient Information Regarding Rhinoplasty

Overview

Demand for online information about rhinoplasty is large, but the quality and content of what is available was unknown. This study assessed the most popular online material using the Ensuring Quality Information for Patients tool, which evaluates content, structure and readability. Search terms were identified using Google AdWords and Trends, and unique links from the first 10 result pages for each term were evaluated.

Sections of note

• Assessment of 295 eligible websites written in English for general non medical readers.
• Search terms included nose operation, nose job, nose reshaping, nose tip surgery, rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty.
• The median overall quality score was 17.
• Only 33 percent contained balanced information on risks and benefits.
• Bleeding risk was mentioned by 29 percent of websites and infection risk by 27 percent.
• Only 2 percent described complication rates for the procedures.
• Only 20 percent explained that further surgery may be needed to achieve the desired result.
• The authors conclude the quality of online rhinoplasty information is poor.

What it means for a patient

• Two thirds of the pages a patient is likely to find do not present risks and benefits in balance.
• Almost none give any figure for how often complications occur.
• Only one page in five mentions that a second operation may be needed, despite revision being common.
• The study measures the information available, not what patients actually read or believe.

Why this paper matters

Patients research rhinoplasty online before consultation, and expectations formed there shape satisfaction afterward. This study quantifies how incomplete that material is, particularly on risk and the likelihood of revision. Whether better online information changes expectations or outcomes is unaddressed.

Terms

• EQIP tool: the Ensuring Quality Information for Patients instrument, which scores patient material on content and clarity.
• Readability: how easily a general reader can understand written material.
• Complication rate: how often an unwanted outcome occurs, expressed as a proportion.
• Informed decision: a choice made with adequate understanding of risks and alternatives.
• Google AdWords and Trends: tools showing what terms people search for and how often.