Modern Internet Search Analytics and Total Joint Arthroplasty: What Are Patients Asking and Reading Online?

Background: Patients considering total joint arthroplasty often search for information online regarding surgery; however, little is known about the specific topics that patients search for and the nature of the information provided. Google compiles frequently asked questions associated with a search term using machine learning and natural language processing. Links to individual websites are provided to answer each question. Analysis of this data may help improve understanding of patient concerns and inform more effective counseling. Methods: Search terms were entered into Google for total hip and total knee arthroplasty. Frequently asked questions and associated websites were extracted to a database using customized software. Questions were categorized by topic; websites were categorized by type. JAMA Benchmark Criteria were used to assess website quality. Pearson's chi-squared and Student's t-tests were performed as appropriate. Results: A total of 620 questions (305 total knee arthroplasties, 315 total hip arthroplasties) were extracted with 602 associated websites. The most popular question topics were Specific Activities (23.5%), Indications/Management (15.6%), and Restrictions (13.4%). Questions related to Pain were more common in the TKA group (23.0% vs 2.5%, P < .001) compared to THA. The most common website types were Academic (31.1%), Commercial (29.2%), and Social Media (17.1%). JAMA scores (0-4) were highest for Government websites (mean 3.92, P = .005). Conclusion: The most frequently asked questions on Google related to total joint arthroplasty are related to arthritis management, rehabilitation, and ability to perform specific tasks. A sizable proportion of health information provided originate from non-academic, non-government sources (64.4%), with 17.1% from social media websites. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study analyzed common questions and associated websites related to total joint arthroplasty searched on Google, finding that topics like pain, specific activities, and indications/management were most common. Website types were primarily academic, commercial, and social media, with government websites rated highest in quality.