Information Transparency for Elective Stature Lengthening Surgery: A Secret Shopper Study

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic surgery
• Medical information dissemination

Background:

• Elective stature lengthening (ESL) is increasingly popular for height increase.
• Online resources for ESL often lack consistent and transparent information.
• Prospective patients need clear data on costs, recovery, and complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the quality and comprehensiveness of online information for elective stature lengthening.
• To assess the clarity of communication regarding costs, recovery, and potential complications.

Main Methods:

• A secret shopper methodology was employed, contacting 27 orthopaedic practices offering ESL globally.
• Standardized scripts were used via email and phone calls to gather information.
• Responses were analyzed for data depth and variability on key surgical and recovery aspects.

Main Results:

• Only 11% of practices answered all scripted questions.
• Cost estimates for ESL varied widely ($15,000 to $150,118).
• Reported recovery times showed significant variability (2 to 365 days), with crucial details often omitted.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for improved transparency and standardization in online ESL resources.
• Consistent communication guidelines are essential for patient trust and informed decision-making.
• Addressing information gaps can enhance patient satisfaction in elective height-increasing procedures.