Use of the Internet by pediatric orthopaedic outpatients

The Internet is a rich source of medical information, but little is known about orthopaedic patients' use of the Internet for medical information. Adults accompanying children to the clinic of a pediatric orthopaedist were surveyed regarding their rates of access to and use of the Internet for orthopaedic information and their opinions about the success of their searches and the utility of the Internet as a source of medical information. The response rate was 84% (212/253). Search rates were lowest for patients with fractures (18.2%) and highest for patients with scoliosis (53.5%). Slightly more than three quarters found their search helpful, and slightly less than half planned to discuss their search with the physician. Use of the Internet by patients and family members can create additional time demands on the orthopaedist with questions resulting from their search. Physicians can minimize time demands and educate their patients by guiding them to reputable, patient-oriented Internet sites and taking part in the creation of such sites.