Information-seeking behaviour in patients exploring orthognathic surgery: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Patient Decision-Making
• Health Information Seeking Behavior

Background:

• Orthognathic surgery requires significant patient involvement in decision-making.
• Understanding how patients gather information is crucial for effective care.
• Previous research has not fully explored the information-seeking nuances of orthognathic patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore orthognathic patients' information-seeking behaviors during their treatment decision-making process.
• To identify preferred sources and challenges faced by patients when gathering information about orthognathic surgery.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative, cross-sectional study involving semi-structured interviews with nine prospective orthognathic patients (aged 18-30).
• Purposive sampling from joint orthognathic clinics in Cumbria, UK.
• Reflexive thematic analysis of remote video-conducted interviews until thematic saturation.

Main Results:

• Patients were found to be making informed decisions about orthognathic surgery.
• Key themes included selective engagement with information sources, reliance on patient-specific professional and peer information, supplementary internet use, and concerns regarding online information.
• Verbal information from the clinical team was the most trusted source, followed by insights from past patients, often contacted via social media.

Conclusions:

• Orthognathic patients engage in informed decision-making, with patient-clinician interaction being central for personalized information.
• Addressing patient concerns about online information and integrating visual aids could enhance shared decision-making.
• Understanding information-seeking behaviors can improve clinical care and the design of patient information resources.