Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the information needs of individuals with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and their families when the disease was first diagnosed.
Materials and Methods: A total of 117 patients with AIS and their parents volunteered to participate in this study. A survey developed specifically to assess the information needs of AIS patients and their families was sent by e-mail. Of the AIS patients, 59.8% were aged >16 years and completed the survey alone, and 40.2% were aged <16 years and they completed the survey together with their parents.
Results: The results of this study demonstrated that in the initial diagnosis, scoliosis could be observed even if the angle was <20°. Generally, scoliosis was first noticed by the child’s mother. As expected, at the time of the initial diagnosis, the children diagnosed as having scoliosis were upset and confused and their parents also felt upset and worried. The information most needed was reported to be answers to the questions of “Will it get better, what are the causes of scoliosis?”, “What is scoliosis and what are the possible treatment options?”, and the least frequently asked question was “Will surgery be needed?”.
Conclusion: Clear, accurate, complete, and personalized information is required by patients and their families. This information is essential in enabling patients to make major decisions and to take ownership and responsibility for the decision. Involvement in decision-making helps to improve compliance with treatment and finally also improves satisfaction with the agreed treatment method use
Materials and Methods: A total of 117 patients with AIS and their parents volunteered to participate in this study. A survey developed specifically to assess the information needs of AIS patients and their families was sent by e-mail. Of the AIS patients, 59.8% were aged >16 years and completed the survey alone, and 40.2% were aged <16 years and they completed the survey together with their parents.
Results: The results of this study demonstrated that in the initial diagnosis, scoliosis could be observed even if the angle was <20°. Generally, scoliosis was first noticed by the child’s mother. As expected, at the time of the initial diagnosis, the children diagnosed as having scoliosis were upset and confused and their parents also felt upset and worried. The information most needed was reported to be answers to the questions of “Will it get better, what are the causes of scoliosis?”, “What is scoliosis and what are the possible treatment options?”, and the least frequently asked question was “Will surgery be needed?”.
Conclusion: Clear, accurate, complete, and personalized information is required by patients and their families. This information is essential in enabling patients to make major decisions and to take ownership and responsibility for the decision. Involvement in decision-making helps to improve compliance with treatment and finally also improves satisfaction with the agreed treatment method use
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 93-99 |
| Journal | Journal of Turkish Spinal Surgery |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 29 Jul 2021 |