Patient Questions and Physician Responses in a Chinese Health Q&A Website: Content Analysis

BACKGROUND: Since the turn of this century, the internet has become an invaluable resource for people seeking health information and answers to health-related queries. Health question and answer websites have grown in popularity in recent years as a means for patients to obtain health information from medical professionals. For patients suffering from chronic illnesses, it is vital that health care providers become better acquainted with patients’ information needs and learn how they express them in text format. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to: (1) explore whether patients can accurately and adequately express their information needs on health question and answer websites, (2) identify what types of problems are of most concern to those suffering from chronic illnesses, and (3) determine the relationship between question characteristics and the number of answers received. METHODS: Questions were collected from a leading Chinese health question and answer website called “All questions will be answered” in January 2018. We focused on questions relating to diabetes and hepatitis, including those that were free and those that were financially rewarded. Content analysis was completed on a total of 7068 (diabetes) and 6685 (hepatitis) textual questions. Correlations between the characteristics of questions (number of words per question, value of reward) and the number of answers received were evaluated using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The majority of patients are able to accurately express their problem in text format, while some patients may require minor social support. The questions posted were related to three main topics: (1) prevention and examination, (2) diagnosis, and (3) treatment. Patients with diabetes were most concerned with the treatment received, whereas patients with hepatitis focused on the diagnosis results. The number of words per question and the value of the reward were negatively correlated with the number of answers. The number of words per question and the value of the reward were negatively correlated with the number of answers. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable insights into the ability of patients suffering from chronic illnesses to make an understandable request on health question and answer websites. Health topics relating to diabetes and hepatitis were classified to address the health information needs of chronically ill patients. Furthermore, identification of the factors affecting the number of answers received per question can help users of these websites to better frame their questions to obtain more valuable answers.