American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2012
Abstract
We analyzed the content, quality, and accuracy of information provided on hospital web sites about robotic gynecologic surgery.
An analysis of hospitals with more than 200 beds from a selection of states was performed. Hospital web sites were analyzed for the content and quality of data regarding robotic-assisted surgery.
Among 432 hospitals, the web sites of 192 (44.4%) contained marketing for robotic gynecologic surgery. Stock images (64.1%) and text (24.0%) derived from the robot manufacturer were frequent. Although most sites reported improved perioperative outcomes, limitations of robotics including cost, complications, and operative time were discussed only 3.7%, 1.6%, and 3.7% of the time, respectively. Only 47.9% of the web sites described a comparison group.
Marketing of robotic gynecologic surgery is widespread. Much of the content is not based on high-quality data, fails to present alternative procedures, and relies on stock text and images.
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Cite this article
Schiavone, M. B., Kuo, E. C., Naumann, R. W., Burke, W. M., Lewin, S. N., Neugut, A. I., Hershman, D. L., Herzog, T. J., & Wright, J. D. (2012). The commercialization of robotic surgery: unsubstantiated marketing of gynecologic surgery by hospitals. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2012.06.050
Schiavone MB, Kuo EC, Naumann RW, Burke WM, Lewin SN, Neugut AI, Hershman DL, Herzog TJ, Wright JD. The commercialization of robotic surgery: unsubstantiated marketing of gynecologic surgery by hospitals. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology. 2012. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2012.06.050
Schiavone, M. B., et al. "The commercialization of robotic surgery: unsubstantiated marketing of gynecologic surgery by hospitals." American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2012.
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