Differences of Search Engine Digital Footprints Between Podiatrists and Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeons: A Need to Join the Digital Era.
Journal
The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
ISSN: 1940-5480
Titre abrégé: J Am Acad Orthop Surg
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 9417468
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
15 Aug 2022
15 Aug 2022
Historique:
received:
14
02
2022
accepted:
25
04
2022
entrez:
6
9
2022
pubmed:
7
9
2022
medline:
9
9
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Search engines generate lists of the most relevant websites using a keyword or phrase query and are integral in guiding consumer preferences. Digital information is important in the field of medicine, influencing what patients learn about their conditions and who they choose as providers. When two types of healthcare providers, such as podiatry and foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons (FAOSs), share an overlapping consumer market, whichever group has a larger digital footprint receives increased digital engagement. The Google search engine was used to query nine common foot and ankle-associated terms using a "search term + zip code" format for 150 zip codes divided into urban, suburban, and rural population densities. The first 10 results of each search were classified into one of five categories. Site content was classified as podiatry-oriented, other MD/DO-oriented, or FAOS-oriented. Separately, a ratio between podiatrists and FAOSs was calculated for each population density group. Data were then normalized using this ratio and reanalyzed with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with significance at P < 0.05. Of 13,500 total search results, 4,992 (36.9%) were podiatry-oriented, 2,109 (15.6%) were other MD/DO-oriented, and 436 (3.2%) were FAOS-oriented. All geographic areas featured a higher number of podiatry than FAOS-oriented sites. FAOSs have more results per provider in urban areas (P < 0.001), although podiatrists had more in suburban and rural areas (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Podiatrists have greater digital engagement in descriptive search terms. "Ankle replacement" has greater FAOS engagement in all three geographic areas. Foot and ankle-related Internet search terms results are overwhelmingly composed of podiatry-oriented sites. Per provider, regional differences are demonstrated, with FAOS having more sites in urban areas only. FAOS scope-of-practice terms such as "ankle replacement" still retain greater engagement by FAOSs. Search engine optimization and saturation strategies should be considered. Level 3 (observational study).
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Search engines generate lists of the most relevant websites using a keyword or phrase query and are integral in guiding consumer preferences. Digital information is important in the field of medicine, influencing what patients learn about their conditions and who they choose as providers. When two types of healthcare providers, such as podiatry and foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons (FAOSs), share an overlapping consumer market, whichever group has a larger digital footprint receives increased digital engagement.
METHODS
METHODS
The Google search engine was used to query nine common foot and ankle-associated terms using a "search term + zip code" format for 150 zip codes divided into urban, suburban, and rural population densities. The first 10 results of each search were classified into one of five categories. Site content was classified as podiatry-oriented, other MD/DO-oriented, or FAOS-oriented. Separately, a ratio between podiatrists and FAOSs was calculated for each population density group. Data were then normalized using this ratio and reanalyzed with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with significance at P < 0.05.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Of 13,500 total search results, 4,992 (36.9%) were podiatry-oriented, 2,109 (15.6%) were other MD/DO-oriented, and 436 (3.2%) were FAOS-oriented. All geographic areas featured a higher number of podiatry than FAOS-oriented sites. FAOSs have more results per provider in urban areas (P < 0.001), although podiatrists had more in suburban and rural areas (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Podiatrists have greater digital engagement in descriptive search terms. "Ankle replacement" has greater FAOS engagement in all three geographic areas.
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
Foot and ankle-related Internet search terms results are overwhelmingly composed of podiatry-oriented sites. Per provider, regional differences are demonstrated, with FAOS having more sites in urban areas only. FAOS scope-of-practice terms such as "ankle replacement" still retain greater engagement by FAOSs. Search engine optimization and saturation strategies should be considered.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
METHODS
Level 3 (observational study).
Identifiants
pubmed: 36067461
doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-22-00189
pii: 00124635-202208150-00005
pmc: PMC10158488
mid: NIHMS1842654
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Observational Study
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
780-788Subventions
Organisme : NCATS NIH HHS
ID : UL1 TR002649
Pays : United States
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
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