Does the urologist keep a central place in the medical information delivered to patients?

Abstract

Although urologists play an essential role in informing patients, with the ever-increasing use of modern media, a wealth of information sources is now available. The aim of this study was to identify the different sources of information available to urology patients, assess the scale of use of the internet and social networks in this group, and establish the profile of patients for whom a high level of information is crucial. A questionnaire was given to 500 patients consulting the urology department of a university hospital. Out of the 500 questionnaires, 372 were analysable; the average age of respondents was 62.9years; 73% were men; 66.9% said they used the internet; 57% had received an explanatory document such as an French Urology Association information leaflet, 32.5% had received information from the paramedical team, 28.2% from their regular doctor, 28.2% from health-related websites and 5.9% from the website developed by the French Urology Association. Although 80.3% of patients thought that information received from the urologist was satisfactory, 53.2% of patients would like to receive more information. We did not identify any factors allowing us to determine the typical profile of patients seeking more information. Urologists seem to retain their central role in informing patients, but almost half of patients were still seeking additional information after their urology consultation. The increasing use of the internet should encourage urologists to use these new media resources to optimise the information supplied to patients.