title: Robotic surgery claims on United States hospital websites.
abstract: To examine the prevalence and content of robotic surgery information presented on websites of U.S. hospitals. We completed a systematic analysis of 400 randomly selected U.S. hospital websites in June of 2010. Data were collected on the presence and location of robotic surgery information on a hospital's website; use of images or text provided by the manufacturer; use of direct link to manufacturer website; statements of clinical superiority; statements of improved cancer outcome; mention of a comparison group for a statement; citation of supporting data and mention of specific risks. Forty-one percent of hospital websites described robotic surgery. Among these, 37% percent presented robotic surgery on their homepage, 73% used manufacturer-provided stock images or text, and 33% linked to a manufacturer website. Statements of clinical superiority were made on 86% of websites, with 32% describing improved cancer control, and 2% described a reference group. No hospital website mentioned risks. Materials provided by hospitals regarding the surgical robot overestimate benefits, largely ignore risks and are strongly influenced by the manufacturer.
authors: Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors: Linda X
authors: LX
authors: Jin
authors: Andrew M
authors: AM
authors: Ibrahim
authors: Naeem A
authors: NA
authors: Newman
authors: Danil V
authors: DV
authors: Makarov
authors: Peter J
authors: PJ
authors: Pronovost
authors: Martin A
authors: MA
authors: Makary
mesh_terms: D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012371:Robotics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States