Provision of Internet Information on Day Surgery and Inguinal Hernia Repair in UK Hospitals

Abstract

The internet has become vital to information dissemination. Patients are increasingly using the internet for enquires regarding healthcare. A study in the UK of more than 1000 patients found that 40% had access to the internet and that 11% sought information prior to an outpatient clinic consultation. In a consecutive series of 105 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery, 31% with access to the internet used it to acquire information on their operation. A similar picture exists in Germany with a reported 18% of patients using the internet prior to surgery.