Clinical Excellence in Endocrinology

Online health information-seeking behavior by endocrinology patients

PURPOSE

Given that the Internet is important for health-related information (HRI) and the fact that online health information (OHI)-seeking behavior has never been studied in endocrinology, we set out to examine how and why the Internet is utilized for HRI, the frequency of such activity, its impact, future information needs, and the effect of language.

METHODS

A mainly quantitative, embedded mixed-methods study was performed, employing a questionnaire survey. We included 312 patients (78.4% response rate).

RESULTS

OHI-seeking was reported by 175 patients (56.1%), especially in younger (p = 0.037) and more educated (p = 0.006) patients. OHI-seekers perceived OHI to be high-quality (135, 77.1%) but 104 (59.4%) were unaware of website certification tools. Among OHI-seekers, 63 (36.6%) reported positive behavioral changes after seeking OHI. Only 45 (25.7%) OHI-seekers discussed their gathered information with their endocrinologist. If an interactive e-learning module was available, 194/312 (62.2%) patients expressed willingness to use it, especially those reporting a need for more HRI (p = 0.024). Native speakers were more likely to report that OHI did not meet their information needs (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

OHI-seeking by patients attending the endocrinology outpatients is widely practiced. The availability of OHI in the native language and e-learning modules may enhance the utility of the Internet for health information.

Characteristics of professionalism of specialists and advantages of multidisciplinary teams in thyroid cancer: results of a national opinion survey

INTRODUCTION

The opinion of professionals about multidisciplinary teams (MDT) in thyroid cancer has not been studied in Spain. This study was intended to ascertain the opinion of specialists about the characteristics of the professionals and the advantages provided by these teams.

METHODS

A survey was designed to assess the opinion about the characteristics of professionalism and the advantages of MDT for patients, professionals, and the health care system. The survey was posted online from November 15, 2017 to February 15, 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 226 surveys were evaluated. The ability for teamwork was considered the most important characteristic to be met by professionals by 37.2% of respondents, while scientific competence was the most important indicator of professionalism for 37.6%. More than two thirds of specialists felt that MDTs improve the choice of treatments and diagnostic procedures, decrease clinical variability, facilitate implementation of clinical guidelines, improve ongoing training, and increase patient satisfaction and hospital prestige. The degree of agreement with the advantages of MDTs was significantly higher among specialists who had a MDT at their hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall opinion of professionals on the MDT model is highly favorable. Hospital managers and health care authorities should take these facts into account in order to encourage and support implementation of these teams.