Robotic cystectomy and the Internet: separating fact from fiction

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Oncology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Patients increasingly use the internet for health information.
• The accuracy of online health information is highly variable.
• Robotic cystectomy information online requires evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy and evidence-based nature of web-based information on robotic cystectomy.
• To assess the claims made regarding surgical/oncologic outcomes, functional recovery, and recovery.
• To identify the sources and references of online information about robotic cystectomy.

Main Methods:

• Searched Google and Yahoo for "robotic cystectomy", analyzing the top 50 websites from each (total 100 sites).
• Assessed website type, accuracy of bladder cancer information, and details on robotic cystectomy outcomes.
• Identified information sourced from Intuitive Corp and the presence of literature-based references.

Main Results:

• 61% of analyzed sites were surgeon/provider sites; 80% lacked bladder cancer information.
• Many sites (54% surgical/oncologic, 26% functional, 47% recovery) presented non-evidence-based claims.
• Only 7% of provider sites listed any references; 33% included information from Intuitive Corp.

Conclusions:

• Surgeon-provided internet information on robotic cystectomy often lacks evidence and overstates outcomes.
• There is a critical need for healthcare providers to offer factual, evidence-based information online.
• Misleading or unproven claims about robotic cystectomy should be avoided to ensure patient trust and informed decision-making.