The benefits of an interactive, individualized online patient pathway for patients undergoing minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy: a prospective, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
This study determined the usefulness of an interactive, individualized online patient pathway to patients undergoing elective operation for nonmalignant disease.


METHODS
An exploratory double-blind, prospective randomized controlled trial was established involving consecutive patients undergoing minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy (MIRP). A total of 64 patients were randomly assigned to either a standard or an enhanced Web site (interactive with detailed, personalized timeline). Each patient completed validated Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires preoperatively and pain assessments and questionnaires concerning Web site usefulness postoperatively.


RESULTS
All patients found their Web site useful, although patient satisfaction was significantly higher with the enhanced Web site in regard to overall impression as well as ease, organization, usefulness, and specificity of information. There were no significant differences in mean anxiety or pain scores, in analgesia requirements, or adequacy of informed consent.


CONCLUSIONS
Providing education and information through a tailored Web server is viewed positively by patients.
Neary
Peter M
PM
Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland. peterneary@hotmail.com
Sung
Robert
R
Corrigan
Mark
M
O'Donovan
Maurice
M
Cahill
Ronan A
RA
Redmond
H Paul
HP
D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D049950:Hyperparathyroidism, Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D016105:Parathyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D016896:Treatment Outcome