BACKGROUND
Aesthetic patients tend to use the Internet for self-education and can be imperceptibly swayed by the online information. We research on the importance of online information from the aesthetic patients’ point of view and try to reveal the impact of Internet on the field of plastic and aesthetic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
By doing these, we hope to help plastic surgeons to better understand the psychology of their patients, and contribute to more efficient communication and better surgical outcomes.
METHODS
A descriptive questionnaire was employed to obtain information from patients after consultation and before operation in Plastic Surgery Hospital. Data was collected and analyzed.
RESULTS
A total of 860 patients participated in this survey. Most of our participants were well-educated females. Results showed other patients’ experience and doctors’ profiles were important factors that patients would take into consideration. Over one third of the patients thought online information very useful in promoting understanding of plastic surgery, while 5% stated that they were more confused after searching online. The majority of the patients believed doctors’ message was more reliable. And the doctors’ message had significantly greater impact on patients’ decision than online one (P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Online information plays an important role in educating patients before visiting doctors. And it also influences patients’ decision on which surgeons they choose. Making good use of the internet helps plastic surgeons to promote themselves, establish their own reputation and build harmonious doctor-patient relationship.