Assessing Public Interest in Elective Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Google Trends Analysis.

COVID-19 Google Trends elective surgery oncologic surgery urgent surgery

Journal

Annals of surgery open : perspectives of surgical history, education, and clinical approaches
ISSN: 2691-3593
Titre abrégé: Ann Surg Open
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101769928

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
Mar 2022
Historique:
received: 29 09 2021
accepted: 29 01 2022
medline: 25 2 2022
pubmed: 25 2 2022
entrez: 21 8 2023
Statut: epublish

Résumé

To determine trends in internet search volume for elective surgery terms during the first peak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using Google Trends data. Postponement of much-needed elective and urgent oncologic surgeries takes a toll on patients and the health care system. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decline in elective surgery volume, partially due to the cancellation of elective surgeries at the start of the pandemic. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of internet search volume trends for elective surgery terms during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic using Google Trends data and compared to a control group of terms representing common urgent and oncologic surgeries. Search volume for elective surgery terms ("knee replacement," "spinal fusion," "hip replacement," "laminectomy," "cataract surgery") revealed a decrease of up to 54% compared to the prepandemic period, a significantly greater decrease than search volume for urgent and oncologic surgery terms ("C-section," "cholecystectomy," "CABG," "colectomy," "lobectomy," and "mastectomy"). The first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic led to sharp declines in search volume for essential elective surgical procedures, which may have been partially due to the cancellation of elective surgeries, but patient factors such as a temporary decline in interest in elective surgery might have also played a role. Attention to internet search volume may be used during future public health crises to monitor public engagement and interest in important health topics, including preventive health measures such as cancer screening.

Sections du résumé

Objective UNASSIGNED
To determine trends in internet search volume for elective surgery terms during the first peak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using Google Trends data.
Background UNASSIGNED
Postponement of much-needed elective and urgent oncologic surgeries takes a toll on patients and the health care system. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decline in elective surgery volume, partially due to the cancellation of elective surgeries at the start of the pandemic.
Methods UNASSIGNED
We performed a cross-sectional analysis of internet search volume trends for elective surgery terms during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic using Google Trends data and compared to a control group of terms representing common urgent and oncologic surgeries.
Results UNASSIGNED
Search volume for elective surgery terms ("knee replacement," "spinal fusion," "hip replacement," "laminectomy," "cataract surgery") revealed a decrease of up to 54% compared to the prepandemic period, a significantly greater decrease than search volume for urgent and oncologic surgery terms ("C-section," "cholecystectomy," "CABG," "colectomy," "lobectomy," and "mastectomy").
Conclusions UNASSIGNED
The first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic led to sharp declines in search volume for essential elective surgical procedures, which may have been partially due to the cancellation of elective surgeries, but patient factors such as a temporary decline in interest in elective surgery might have also played a role. Attention to internet search volume may be used during future public health crises to monitor public engagement and interest in important health topics, including preventive health measures such as cancer screening.

Identifiants

pubmed: 37600105
doi: 10.1097/AS9.0000000000000142
pmc: PMC10431528
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Pagination

e142

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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Auteurs

Austin Snyder (A)

From the Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Michael Lanuti (M)

From the Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.

Ashok Muniappan (A)

From the Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.

Melissa C Price (MC)

From the Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Division of Thoracic Imaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.

Avik Som (A)

Department of Interventional Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.

Brent P Little (BP)

From the Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Division of Thoracic Imaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.

Classifications MeSH